Results 11,581-11,600 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I have just told the Deputy we are looking at the question——

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It is not, we are proactive.

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: From the outset as regards the Aer Lingus IPO the Government has been committed to ensuring that our strategic interests are protected. It was always the intention that the State should retain a significant minority shareholding for this purpose. The State's shareholding currently stands at approximately 28.3% of the capital in Aer Lingus and will be approximately 25.4% from tomorrow...

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: That is correct.

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Government's overarching objective is to provide the company with access to new equity to enable Aer Lingus to compete effectively and fund the growth of its business. Through the IPO, the company now has new equity in the order of €500 million. Some €104 million goes towards the pension funds and there will be an additional €400 million plus to go to the business plan and to fund...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: All projects provided for in Transport 21 will be required to comply with the Department of Finance guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure and the Department of Finance circular of 25 January 2006 on value for money. The guidelines require that capital appraisals, including cost-benefit analysis, are carried out for all projects costing over €30 million. The...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy has made the case for us. Whether the figure is €34.1 billion, €70 billion or €1 million, the principle is the same. The Deputy referred to the building of a house. Of course a person would have an estimated price from a surveyor, but the person would not indicate to all those invited to tender the price suggested by the surveyor. It is the same here. It is not a...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I understand from the RPA that concerns were expressed, during the public consultation process, regarding plans to run the metro on elevated structures in Ballymun. These concerns were taken into account when deciding on the selected route. The RPA is working closely with Dublin City Council and Ballymun Regeneration Limited to ensure the design of metro complements the new townscape....

Railway Stations. (1 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to respond. The provision of facilities at train stations to enhance physical access to services and increase usage is integral to investments already made in the rail network under the national development plan and planned or under way under Transport 21. Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006,...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (25 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I have in reply to the previous question referred to by the Deputy stated that I am conscious of the need for improved accommodation for the Doolin Coastal Unit and am continuing to act to secure such accommodation. I do not wish to elaborate upon the negotiations taking place at present. Coast Guard management has been asked to consider, as a matter of urgency, alternative locations to...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The accessibility of public transport in rural areas for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments will be progressed in the context of the implementation of 'Transport Access for All', my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. As outlined in 'Transport Access for All', Bus Éireann and some private operators have already introduced low-floor buses on a number...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (19 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I welcome the opportunity to return to the Seanad with the Bill, which was introduced in 2003. The Senators who dealt with it at that time will recall that the purpose of the Bill is to update our legislation in respect of the protection of the marine environment and to give effect in our law to several internationally agreed instruments. The Bill was passed by the Seanad in December 2003...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (19 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Group 2 relates to the subject matter of amendments Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 31 to 33, inclusive, involving changes to the Harbours Act 1996 and the deletion of section 37 and section 38, which are concerned with passenger ship and boat licences. Group 3 relates to the subject matter of amendments Nos. 4, 7, 10 and 11. These amendments arise out of the transfer of functions from the Minister for...

Seanad: School Staffing (19 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator Browne for raising this matter as it affords me an opportunity to advise the House on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. In the case of a primary teacher who has attended an approved course between the period 1 July to 31 August, personal leave may be taken in the following school year subject to the approval of the board of management. Attendance at certain...

Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Deputy Olivia Mitchell for introducing the Bill and ensuring the continued interest and genuine concern of all sides of the House to reduce the level of deaths and injuries. In the short time available to me, I will try to address as many of the issues as possible. With regard to the driver testing backlog, while the Road Safety Authority, which is now formally established, has...

Written Answers — National Conference Centre: National Conference Centre (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 11 October 2006, which indicated that the Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium had recently been invited to become the Preferred Tenderer for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin. As a final decision has yet to be made by Government in relation to this matter, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be...

Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (11 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I agree that if such companies license themselves to store dangerous substances then they should bear responsibility. However, why should this be the case if they are licensing third parties? Surely the House will agree that a third party storing material in an area controlled by the port authority should bear such responsibility. When the port company gives a third party a licence to...

Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (11 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It is different if a company is storing the material for its own purposes, rather than hosting a third party. The licensee should not be exonerated.

Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (11 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Before we move to amendment No. 2, I wish to draw attention to the fact that a clerical error has been noted in the title on page 5, line 9. "May" should read "March". I request that this be corrected by means of a clerk's amendment. It will not affect the Bill substantially and I would like to have this rectified.

Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (11 Oct 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I said on Committee Stage that I would reflect on this point, however section 2 is a standard provision that enables the Minister, by order, to commence the provisions of the Act. I have difficulty with the proposed amendment and it does not add anything to the Bill. Without the provision for commencement an Act automatically comes into operation immediately, which is what Deputies Mitchell...