Results 1,761-1,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Negotiations between the Shannon Airport Authority and airlines are day-to-day operational matters for the authority and I have no statutory function in this regard. I have been informed however by the Shannon Airport Authority that while the current economic climate remains difficult that they will continue to work with all airlines to deliver commercially viable routes to the Shannon region.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national road and bridge projects , including Portumna Bridge, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Section 10 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended by Roads Act to 2007 provides for the classification of national, regional and local roads. In accordance with the section 10 (1)(e) of the Roads Act 1993 (as inserted by section 11 of the Roads Act 2007), the section of an existing national road which remains following the construction of a by-pass or a realignment is deemed to be a local road. I...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The mode share of public transport as a means of travel to work is approximately 9%. Significant investment continues to be made in the delivery of enhanced public transport infrastructure. Over €600m in Exchequer capital has been provided in 2010 to progress rail, light rail, metro and traffic management projects. The Cork Commuter rail project and the Luas extension to the Docklands...

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputies opposite for the opportunity to outline the background to the current industrial relations dispute at the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports and to bring Deputies up to date with the air traffic control problems at the three State airports. I am very disappointed that air traffic controllers are disrupting the...

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I like the way Deputy Broughan presents matters. This is not just something that befell us. It is a deliberate action by a small group of well paid people.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: That is what it is. Let us not dress it up in any other fashion. It is an unnecessary action.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: As Deputy Mitchell said, in the current economic situation, it is one that is unforgivable. Let us cut out the nonsense about this. These air traffic controllers perform a vital function in this country. Their alleged reason for a dispute and walking off the job today is not acceptable. I repeat, it is not acceptable.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: In the current climate, when people have lost their jobs, as Deputy Broughan has so often pointed out, and have taken cuts in pay and everything else, this is not the way to resolve the difficulties they have. Deputy Broughan asked me why there were suspensions. There were suspensions because the people were going into work and refusing to do the work they were doing up to 31 December 2009....

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The IAA decided-----

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy does not want to hear this. It did not sound as if he knew about it. He asked me why there were suspensions and I am telling him. It is because people who are well paid decided that they could go into work and not do what they were being asked to do, and challenge management because of another dispute they were having with regard to a 6% pay increase. That is why the...

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Having said that, it is important that both sides get into the Labour Court. The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, has made it clear that it is willing to engage again. As I stated in my reply, the authority is willing to withdraw the suspensions and go to the Labour Court if it can be facilitated. I understand an early hearing could take place. The issue is very simple and straightforward....

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I will come back to the Deputy with an answer.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: A number of points have been raised. I apologise to the Deputies regarding the questions they asked about a no-strike clause. Deputy O'Dowd referred to an exchange we had two years ago, although we had one more recently than that in late April last year.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I have not changed my view on this issue. If anything, this action has strengthened my view. It is not a decision I can make on my own regarding specific areas. This option will have to be examined in a number of areas across a number of Departments. If this kind of disruption, and, as Deputy Broughan said, this disproportionate response to an industrial relations issue will be a feature...

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I am not saying that business is lost but this strike does not create the right impression of this country. There are times perhaps when strikes are necessary and when they are unavoidable, but given the current situation when we are trying to recover economically and show that we are fighting back, this kind of action is inexcusable.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I acknowledge the comments that have been made by Deputies O'Dowd and Mitchell. I want to make it clear to Deputy Broughan that the Government has not withdrawn from social partnership.

Industrial Action. (20 Jan 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is still ready, willing and able to engage in social partnership and to talk about the very necessary transformation that needs to take place in the public sector generally. Changes and transformation are required to provide the kind of service for our citizens that is needed, the kind of service we saw many frontline workers deliver during the past three or four weeks. We...