Results 11,501-11,520 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Traffic Management. (29 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Under the Road Traffic Act 1994 responsibility for traffic management was devolved to individual road authorities. Responsibility for the implementation of traffic management measures and the application of road traffic regulatory provisions in the Dublin city area is therefore a matter that falls to Dublin City Council to address in the first...

Seanad: Rural Transport Services. (28 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator Kitt for raising the issue of the rural transport initiative, which has become so popular in the 34 pilot scheme areas located throughout all but one of the Twenty-six Counties. The Department is funding the provision of public transport in rural areas through the initiative. It has been operating since 2002 to provide funding on a pilot basis for community transport groups...

Seanad: Rural Transport Services. (28 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The €9 million will be for the main stream of the initiative. While we can give the groups an indication at an early stage, it cannot be conclusive until we decide on the pilot schemes. From knowledge of specific areas, I know extensions will take place. I also presume some areas not yet covered by the rural transport initiative will apply and will receive funding. It is not as simple...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (22 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Department of Transport manages the scheme under which the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service receives grant payment. An annual current grant is paid to Limerick Search and Rescue Service under the scheme. The purposes for which the grant is used are a matter for individual recipients under the scheme.

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (22 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Members of An Garda Síochána are State employees who receive State protection under the 1941 Act, whereas Mountain Rescue Team members are private persons who volunteer Search and Rescue assistance. However, insurance cover is an eligible expenditure for grant aid to Mountain Rescue Teams.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (14 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: There are at present four contracts for provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) services. These relate to the provision of emergency helicopter services. The contracts and the other information requested by the Deputy are listed in the following table. Contracts for Provision of Search and Rescue Services Contract Date entered into Length remaining to run for Contract Approximate cost of each...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: My Department has no formal Proposal for the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners in respect of dredging of the inner harbour at Bantry Bay.

Written Answers — Dublin Transportation Authority: Dublin Transportation Authority (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19, 39 and 49 together. The Minister for Transport established a Team following the launch of Transport 21 to make recommendations on the establishment of a transport authority for the Greater Dublin Area. He also asked the team to give advice on the content of legislation required to establish such an Authority and to make recommendations on what interim...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 78 together. As I indicated in (i) response to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 3 May 2006 and (ii) a Seanad Éireann Adjournment Debate of 27 June 2006, my Department has no proposals to move Dublin Port from its current location. Dublin Port is a State-owned company established under the Harbours Act 1996. The Act provides that the company is...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: While the Government, both as shareholder and policy maker, has a clear interest in ensuring the provision of adequate, cost effective port capacity for our growing economy, the development of the necessary capital projects is primarily a matter for the individual port companies and their boards. This is in line with the commercial mandate given to the port companies under the Harbours Act...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: My Department has finalised a Sectorial Plan on Accessible Transport in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Act 2005. The Plan titled 'Transport Access for All' addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across all transport modes and contains time bound targets for the progressive realisation of accessible transport in Ireland....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Significant progress has been made in recent years in improving wheelchair access to public transport and work in this regard is continuing apace. All of the regular urban bus fleets operated by Bus Éireann in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford are low-floor wheelchair accessible. In addition, the company operates some low-floor wheelchair accessible buses on a number of rural routes and...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: There is congestion at the three road junctions. This has been considered by the RPA. Many would prefer if the line was underground but we must consider the cost of stations being underground as well as the line. The World Bank tells us that an underground metro costs five to six times the cost of a metro at grade. The cost is affected less by tunnelling than by the construction of...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The cost could be five to six times greater not just because of tunnelling costs, but because stations would have to be built underground.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 21, 43, 46 and 98 together. In line with commitments in An Agreed Programme for Government, the Government has made a number of significant decisions recently that will provide a solid basis for expanded and improved bus services throughout the country over the coming years, ensuring better value for money for both passengers and taxpayers. The Minister is...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I do not accept that with the additional buses and competition, the fares would increase. The more competition there is, the better.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It is Government policy to liberalise the market. After the 100 buses join the fleet it is committed to opening 15% of the overall market to the private sector. The Dublin transport authority should look at new routes rather than overlapping with those on existing routes. The Dublin transport authority may feel it is necessary to restructure routes but many parts of Dublin do not have...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: ——for non-commercial routes outside Dublin. Those areas are being considered. Dublin Bus submitted a business plan, which we have approved, to fund 100 additional buses for 2006-07.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Dublin Bus received a subvention of almost €64.29 million in 2005. The subvention for 2006 will be €69.85 million, to be paid this year subject to compliance with certain performance criteria. The subvention has increased by almost €29 million since 2000.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Minister plans to make a formal announcement about the establishment of the DTA soon. Legislation to establish it is at an advanced stage of preparation. In line with the draft ten-year social partnership framework agreement, Towards 2016, the Minister will consult the trade unions and other interested parties during drafting of the legislation. We hope the legislation will be...