Results 11,621-11,640 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (28 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) is a pilot scheme, under which funding is made available to thirty-four community-based organisations across the country, including one project which is operational in south east Galway, to address the transport needs of their rural areas through the provision of local transport services. Pobal administers the initiative on behalf of the Department of...

Port Development. (28 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: We would not have any problem with port capacity in the future — there may be a shortfall in meeting the requirement of 12.2 million tonnes by 2014 — if it were not for the success of the economy. I am making a political point when I say that.

Port Development. (28 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The most objective observers are suggesting we will continue to enjoy growth of between 5% and 6% in each of the next few years. There will be a long lead-in time because it is not possible to provide additional capacity in the short term. For that reason, I launched the ports policy statement in January 2005, when I was Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and...

Port Development. (28 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: While the port authorities are responsible for making decisions of this nature, they will have to come to us for approval. I will discuss this matter with the Minister, Deputy Cullen. After they have made their decisions and issued their recommendations, we will certainly co-operate with them to ensure the additional capacity can be provided.

Seanad: Rail Network (28 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Go raibh maith agat. I thank Senator Tuffy for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position on the Kildare route project. This major railway investment is critical to the development of a high quality suburban rail system for the greater Dublin area and will deliver benefits for all users of the line including, inner and outer commuter services to Dublin. It will also enhance...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (27 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1103 together. The Government's Ports Policy Statement, which I launched early last year, aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lie ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The Policy...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (27 Sep 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) is a pilot scheme, under which funding is made available to thirty-four community-based organisations across the country, including two projects which are operational in County Kildare, to address the transport needs of their rural areas through the provision of local transport services. Pobal administers the initiative on behalf of the Department of...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: These amendments to the Bill were passed by the Dáil and they bring greater clarity and consistency to the statutory provisions of the road traffic Acts and the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act 1975 as regards the operation of the fixed charge system and in particular some functions carried out by local authority traffic wardens. While there are a number of amendments, I will take as...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I thank the Members for accepting the amendments. As I said, these amendments make sense. Senator Burke made a general point on clamping. We have discussed this and he realises that it is not part of this Bill but a matter for each local authority to contract this business out to others. I do not know why they are doing it. Perhaps it is lucrative. Nobody who is not disabled should park in...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: As in this House, Members of the Dáil referred to the challenge, at a time of continuing innovation in communications technologies, of legislating to regulate the use of mobile telephones and in-vehicle communications technologies. In such an environment I am conscious of the need to be far-sighted on the drafting of section 3 so that it will be sufficiently broad-based and flexible to...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It is not prohibited in cars.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Bluetooth hands-free devices do not come within the scope of the prohibition. Holding the telephone in one's hand or resting it between one's shoulder and neck is prohibited. It does not necessarily have to be in a cradle. If one uses Bluetooth it can lie on the seat. The same applies if one uses an earphone, or it can rest in the cradle. Senator Paddy Burke referred to Australia where...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I appreciate the support of all parties for these amendments so that we can introduce regulations, if need be. The definition of the hands-free device is a device designed such that when used in conjunction with a mobile telephone there is no need for the user to hold the telephone by hand. That is the technical explanation. The holding of the telephone means physically holding, supporting or...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: These are drafting amendments advised by the Parliamentary Counsel as the Bill proceeded through its various Stages. They are technical in nature and are intended to add clarity through the deletion of unnecessary words, the correction of grammar and hyphenation, and the correction of sequencing in some instances. They also include references to certain Acts which were omitted and...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I can arrange a bilateral meeting. I thank the Senators for their time and input into the development of the Bill which was initiated in this House, and for bringing it to its conclusion. The interest in the Bill in both Houses indicated the concern of Members about the broad area of road safety. This is an important road safety Bill. For the first time it will permit roadside breath testing...

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) is currently investigating the circumstances that led to the sinking of the Maggie B. The role of the MCIB, which is an independent body, is to investigate casualties such as this and to publish their findings. The MCIB will investigate all relevant matters pertaining to the sinking of the vessel and if they consider it necessary to raise the...

Written Answers — Water Sports Vehicles: Water Sports Vehicles (4 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Maritime Safety Act 2005 local authorities have been given the necessary powers to control the operation of jet skis and other fast powered craft in their functional areas. The framework for regulating such craft came from the 2000 Report of the Action Group on Small Powered Recreational Craft (including personal watercraft) which concluded that the primary public policy response...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (4 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) is a pilot scheme, under which funding is made available to thirty-four community-based organisations across the country to address the transport needs of their rural areas through the provision of local transport services. Pobal administers the initiative on behalf of the Department of Transport and makes specific allocations to individual project groups...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Jul 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I am not aware that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has any responsibilities with regard to bridges over the river Shannon. Similarly I am not aware of any plans that Shannon Foynes Port Company has in regard to bridges over the river Shannon. Overall responsibility for the planning, design and implementation of any national road projects that cross the river...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (29 Jun 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) is a pilot scheme, under which funding is made available to thirty-four community-based organisations across the country, two of which are based in County Galway, to address the transport needs of their rural areas through the provision of local transport services. Pobal administers the RTI on behalf of the Department of Transport and, together with the...