Results 1,321-1,340 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Taxi Regulation. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Over the last couple of years I have met representatives of the Irish taxi industry - the established representative bodies which have been there for some time, some of which are unions or members of unions. They are involved in the consultative process that is currently taking place with the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation. The advisory council stated in a letter to...

Taxi Regulation. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is not reflecting the views of the established taxi organisations on the current process. The taxi advisory council, whose letter I quoted and which represents these organisations, is satisfied with the level of engagement and accepts that things are happening and that change is taking place. It is part of the process of consultation. I accept the Deputy's point that whether...

Taxi Regulation. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in negotiating any changes.

Taxi Regulation. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Yes, and I have appointed by law - in an Act passed by this House - the Commission for Taxi Regulation to regulate the industry. It has established extensive consultative processes that can be used by the Irish Taxi Council on an individual or collective basis, or any other way it wants, so that it does not have to disrupt traffic.

Taxi Regulation. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: There is no way we can respond to bully-boy tactics from anybody.

Road Traffic Offences. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Traffic Bill 2009, which is currently before the Dáil for Second Stage consideration, provides for the lowering of the legal blood alcohol concentration to 20 mg per 100 mL for learner, novice and professional drivers and 50 mg per 100 mL for other drivers. The lower limits will be introduced following the enactment of the Bill and when the necessary evidential breath testing, EBT,...

Road Traffic Offences. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy and it is my intent to continue to support the RSA in its education profile. It is a good example of at least one area where across parties people have been constructive and positive in the implementation of policy and the highlighting and support of issues that needed it. I hope it will continue as it is a matter of life and death as far as I am concerned.

Road Traffic Offences. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The process involving the testing, tendering and purchase of machines started on the day I put the Bill into the public domain. I did this in order to cut at least six months off the normal time taken to procure such instruments. The largest and most complex part of the process relates to the EBTs. The current versions, approved and supplied to the Garda stations, could be recalibrated to...

Road Traffic Offences. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: That is something which has exercised everybody on all sides of the House. The impairment tests are being legislated for.

Road Traffic Offences. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Gardaí can also form an opinion and do a test later. We are working with the EU to see if we can get a roadside testing kit that would assist in the issue. I assure the Deputy that we will pursue the matter and try to ensure an effective testing system for drugs other than alcohol.

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 76 and 94 together. I have not received proposals for the development of new aircraft maintenance or engineering initiatives at Dublin, Shannon or Cork airports. In any event, these would be matters in the first instance for the Dublin Airport Authority, which operates the three State airports, and for the relevant development agencies. I have not had...

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: No, I was not briefed by Ryanair at any stage. I did not seek a briefing in respect of the hangar 6 issue, nor did I receive one. I was, however, fully briefed by the then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at that point.

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Yes. I also had meetings with officials in my Department and their counterparts from the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Furthermore, I had brief discussions with representatives of Aer Lingus at one stage. I was, therefore, fully briefed about the matter while events were unfolding. Hangars 3 and 4 were available to Mr. O'Leary at the time. One of these hangars is...

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I am only stating facts. I have the utmost regard for the achievements of Ryanair, which has created jobs, brought down the cost of air fares, etc. I have no difficulty acknowledging that. Ryanair is an Irish company and on a number of occasions my Department has been obliged to make representations at European level in respect of cases it has brought to its attention. I do not have a...

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The matter to which the Deputy refers has been the subject of discussions at the LRC and is now the subject of a ballot among staff. I hope there will be a positive outcome for the company and for the employees concerned.

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: At least Deputy Reilly's supplementary was somewhat related to the matter under discussion. I do not know the answer to Deputy Broughan's question on the former employees of SR Technics and the globalisation fund.

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I accept that. I will take the matter up with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to see if something could be done for those involved. The Deputy also referred to the difficulties at Aer Lingus and the cuts that have been made. I accept that the process involved is very painful. I do not know where the wages, etc., are being set. I am not sure they are being set by Ryanair...

State Airports. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy that it is wonderful to have an airline as commercially big, powerful and strong as Ryanair. I have no difficulty accepting that and stating that it is a good thing which has helped competitiveness in the aviation sector here also and that is extremely important. From the point of view of these jobs, every facility was given to Mr. O'Leary and the Tánaiste met him...

Rail Accidents. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 79 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 62, answered today.

Rail Accidents. (24 Mar 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I hope and expect, and by law I know, we will get the report from the railway accident investigation unit, which is independent of, but part of, the Railway Safety Commission. I agree with the Deputy that the maximum amount of information must be made available and made public. However, all of the facts and investigation should be completed and then all of the information should be made...