Results 1,721-1,740 of 2,569 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I also agree with Ms Murphy's comments on so-called fast moving tractors on motorways and the dangers they pose. Has the association data or statistics to support its call to ban these tractors from motorways?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Ms Murphy stated that the number of drivers entering the profession is dwindling and that the main cause is the penalty points system. Will she elaborate on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Finally-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I worked it out and I have only used seven minutes, Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am interested that the association is developing a driver apprenticeship programme. What is the timeline for the introduction of the programme and will Ms Murphy elaborate further on the course? I wish I could give the Deputy a timeline. Unfortunately our programme is a very intense programme. It is three years long. It is provided and developed by the sectoral needs. It covers every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I wish to address a question to Mr. Moroney. I am really surprised to learn from his opening statement that a driver who holds a learner's permit is required to have a fully qualified driver accompany him or her. Should there be a second seat in the tractor cab? It has been mentioned that if there is only one seat in it, a person who holds a learner's permit is okay to drive on his or her...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: In fairness, the delegates mentioned the NCT and the European average. Are we above or below the European average when it comes to tractors being involved in accidents? Mr. Farrelly from the FCI referred to hedge cutting. I come from County Louth and agree with him that something will have to be done because hedges are far too high which is causing a great deal of hassle.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (21 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 712. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12854/17]

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am delighted to be able to speak to this very important Bill. I have been in constant contact with my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, since he first announced last year that he would be bringing this Bill before the House. It will provide all children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance an automatic entitlement to a full medical card. There will now be a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: The ongoing dispute between Bus Éireann and the employers is continuing to escalate and it seems likely that it will spread to other areas. That is a situation that nobody wants to see. What steps is the Minister, as the major shareholder, taking in order to bring both sides closer to an agreement? As I have stated on numerous occasions, I urge the Minister to take a more proactive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Will the Minister ask Bus Éireann to withdraw its letter to staff dated 16 January 2017? In my view, the letter created a situation that could only lead to strike action. If Bus Éireann is serious about resolving this dispute, the letter must be withdrawn. Will the Minister confirm to the committee that he supports our call to Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter? This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I maintain that the Minister, as the major stakeholder in this regard, should ask the company to withdraw the letter because it is causing serious problems at the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am not asking the Minister to take sides. I am asking him to ask Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I have always operated on the basis that solutions can be found if all parties are making a genuine effort to participate. Bearing this in mind, I feel it is unreasonable to change the terms and conditions of Bus Éireann drivers so drastically, as suggested by the company. What does the Minister see as a realistic solution to this issue and to the current crisis in Bus Éireann?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Does the Minister believe that where the same routes are being operated by Expressway and by private operators, this is happening on a level playing pitch? If the Minister does not believe Bus Éireann and private operators are competing on an equal basis, does he have any suggestions for ensuring this can happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Yes. I think it is wrong that the Minister is not intervening by asking Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter I have mentioned. The last thing we want is a prolonged strike that affects the people of Ireland. We keep hearing about rural Ireland, but I am talking about the whole of Ireland. Will the Minister ask Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am asking the Minister to take the letter away because it is an obstacle and its removal would create a level playing field. Sometimes there are obstacles in disputes. The main obstacle in this dispute is the letter. I do not mean to keep repeating myself. As a former businessman, I think the letter is wrong and is not achieving anything. The Minister is a good Minister who does not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: There are preconditions with the letter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I will start off with the Irish Road Victims' Association. I thank its representatives for appearing before the committee today. I was deeply moved to hear the families' stories. To lose a family member as a result of a traffic accident must be traumatic, but to lose them as a result of drink-driving or dangerous driving must be heartbreaking. I understand completely the families'...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I would also like to welcome the assistant commissioner and his colleagues. I was alarmed at the number of pedestrian deaths recorded in the 50 km/h zones - the assistant commissioner stated 16 - while there were no pedestrian road deaths recorded in the 30 km/h zone. This is very revealing and it suggests that we must look at the 50 km/h zone and, where possible, look to have those zones...