Results 1,161-1,180 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Seanad: Public Transport (15 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill as ucht an ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé ós comhair an tSeanaid. Táim ag tabhairt an fhreagra seo thar ceann an Aire Iompair, an Teachta Ó Díomasaigh. The current fuel duty rebate scheme for passenger bus transport services is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. The 2003 EU...

Fire Services. (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy McManus for raising this matter. I pay tribute again to Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy and acknowledge the ongoing pain and loss being experienced by their families and colleagues. For most people time has passed quickly since September 26 but for the families it has been a very long and painful time. This was evident when the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and I met...

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The training of fire service personnel is the statutory duty of individual fire authorities. Fire authorities provide initial recruit training, as well as training in the use of breathing apparatus to an agreed national syllabus, to all entrants to the fire service. Additionally, fire authorities provide ongoing training, including training in response to specialist incident types, such as...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The 1997 Building Regulations made under the Building Control Act 1990 sets out the requirements, including fire safety, to be met in the design and construction of new buildings, including apartment complexes. Primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations rests with the builders and owners of buildings. Similarly the implementation of fire safety and fire prevention...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 242 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 363 of 17 October 2007.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this Bill. Before I address some of the points raised, I emphasise that the Bill is technical in nature. It provides the legislative framework to facilitate the transfer of non-national roads and the national vehicle and driver file functions from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Department of...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Several Deputies raised issues about the level of funding for non-national roads. This year the fund is providing €520 million for this area. For 2008 and subsequent years, it will provide the same level of funding plus an element of the annual increase in buoyancy in motor tax receipts. Deputy Howlin and others highlighted the importance of various road schemes and the relationship...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Since the local government fund was introduced in 1999, annual allocations have increased from some €6 million to €30 million in 2007. This represents a 400% increase in funding in that time. Questions were also asked about the management of the local government fund. Deputy Howlin also spoke about the need for improved local government and the ring-fenced system of funding. I assure...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The Minister outlined last night in his speech the rationale for the Government decision to transfer these functions. As I stated at the end of my summary on Second Stage, the functions relating to road safety, in particular, are a matter of very grave concern, as are the matters of having roads dealt with in one Department. That was the initial rationale for the decision. I thank Deputy...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Just to clarify, the intention is to deal with all Stages this evening and the provision that would frequently arise, where I would undertake to look at the amendments before Report Stage, does not arise this evening because we are proceeding directly to Report Stage.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Under section 12(1) of the Roads Act 1920, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government currently has the power to make regulations about changes in vehicle ownership and the issue, inspection and surrender of vehicle registration certificates. The purpose of the amendment to section 2 is to provide a statutory basis for the Minister for Transport to make regulations in...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: To answer comprehensively I would need a copy of the 1920 Act, which I do not have to hand. I undertake, however, to provide the information for Deputy McCormack. I understand Deputy Lynch's concern, that the impact of the change in section 3 might be to leave none of the 1920 powers with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, but I have taken legal advice on the...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I am grateful to Deputy Durkan because his contribution has enabled me to find at least part of the answer to Deputy McCormack's question, which might be helpful. First however, I will respond to the point made by Deputy Durkan. The point was also raised by Deputies McCormack and Ring, as well as several others on Second Stage.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: It is important to bear in mind that the effect of this legislation is to transfer functions from one Department to another and not to——

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: ——one of the bodies of which Deputy Durkan is clearly a great admirer. I can assure him on that point. I have found a note on the 1920 Act. Under section 12(1) of the Roads Act 1920, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has power to make regulations regarding changes to vehicle ownership and the issue, inspection and surrender of vehicle registration...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: On the last question, I assure Deputy McCormack that the legislation before the House has no negative implications or consequences for his constituency colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. He can rest assured in respect of this matter, which is of great concern to him.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: On the other point that he raised on the local government fund or, to be more specific, on the motor tax and driver licence fees, they will, as heretofore, continue to go into the local government fund, which will be administered by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Lynch for raising this issue. We have taken it up with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Roads Act 1920 and subsequent amendments to it — not all of which were contained in Roads Bills, as some of them were in Finance Bills, as Deputies Durkan, McCormack and others will be aware — were not cited together in the Roads Act 2007 which, if it was to be done, would...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and myself I thank the Members opposite and on this side for their contributions, particularly Deputy Ciarán Lynch for putting much thought into his amendments. In the normal course of events I am well disposed to amendments from the Opposition side but on this occasion, for the reasons I outlined, we were able to manage without them. It is...

Electricity Generation. (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Rory O'Hanlon for the opportunity to comment on the issue of electromagnetic radiation associated with 400kv power lines. The Government published earlier this year the report of the expert group on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The expert group was established by an inter-departmental committee that examined Government policy regarding the potential health...