Results 1,881-1,900 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Question No. 23 for answer today.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Dec 2009)

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 roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The improvement and maintenance of...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have had no direct contact with Aer Lingus with regard to the detail of their restructuring plans. I am receiving regular briefing from officials in my Department who are closely monitoring developments at the airline. This is clearly a very challenging time for everyone involved at Aer Lingus. From an aviation policy perspective, I would encourage all stakeholders to continue to lend their...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The publication of investigative reports into the crash referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Garda and the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) who are conducting separate investigations into the incident.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have received a number of representations following the recent flooding. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a matter for the relevant local authority, to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection of works to be funded from these grants is also a matter for the local authority. Funding of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am fully aware of the discussions that recently took place before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport in relations to the bus service in question. The position in relation to the operation of that service was clearly set out to the Committee by an official of my Department. The service is being operated without the support of a bus route licence under the Road Transport Act 1932....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the recent UK Office of Fair Trading market study and report on local bus services, mainly outside London and Northern Ireland, where the bus industry has been deregulated. The Deputy will be aware that the bus sector is not deregulated in this country and this position has been further reinforced by the recent enactment of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Part 2 of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Safety Strategy 2007–2012 outlines a range of measures to be considered in relation to a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS). The driver licensing regulations made in October 2007, which provided for the introduction of a learner permit to replace the provisional licence and for some other measures, were the first step in the introduction of a GDLS. The Road Safety Authority...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Dec 2009)

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 Network: Road Network (9 Dec 2009)

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 roads, including the Leinster Orbital Route, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The NRA...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I announced my intention to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority with the planned new National Transport Authority on 1st October concurrent with the publication of the Government Statement on Economic Regulation. The amalgamation of these functions into the planned National Transport Authority will contribute to...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have been briefed by Bus Éireann management on the deterioration in its financial position due in the main to declining demand and revenue and increased costs, and on the measures necessary to maintain its financial viability. Earlier this year, in February, I was also briefed by the unions on the issues involved. Decisions in relation to service rationalisations are a matter for the...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have been briefed by the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in relation to the escalation of anti-social behaviour on trams and at Luas lines. The safety and security of passengers including arrangements to deal with anti–social behaviour is a matter for the transport operator in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Garda.

Written Answers — Integrated Ticketing Scheme: Integrated Ticketing Scheme (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Integrated Ticketing project is being introduced in the Greater Dublin Area on a phased basis, based on smartcard technology. A progressive approach is being adopted to allow customers to familiarise themselves with using the new system and to permit transport operators to undertake the necessary testing with the integration of the technologies involved. The project is now firmly in the...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes on Public Sector Costs (An Bord Snip) recommended that the Public Service Obligations for air services should be discontinued after the ending of the present contracts. This proposal has been considered as part of the discussions with the Department of Finance relating to the Estimates for 2010 and later years. The...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have considered the IEA report Transport, Energy and CO2 and its recommendations. The report sets out pathways for emissions reduction from the global transport sector by 2050. Its recommendations are similar to the policy measures I have put forward in the government policy Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport System for Ireland which I launched in February this year. The IEA report...

Written Answers — Rail Accidents: Rail Accidents (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is not preparing a report on the collapse of the Malahide viaduct, which is being investigated by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) in accordance with Section 58 of the Railway Safety Act 2005. This will address all matters, including safety monitoring, relevant to the incident. The RAIU is required to publish its report not later than 12 months after the date of...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of compulsory basic training (CBT) for motorcyclists is primarily a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I am aware that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and I believe that CBT for motorcyclists will improve road safety not only for this group but for all road users. I understand that the RSA undertook a pilot programme to prepare for the introduction of CBT for...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In August 2009, the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants was published on my Department's website, www.transport.ie. I commented at the time that the report is an important analysis not just of the future of Dublin Port, but also provides a useful insight into the capacity challenges that face the sector as a whole. The report forecasts...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (9 Dec 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 80 together. The House is aware that the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended the termination of the Rural Transport Programme. The Government has considered all of the recommendations in the Special Group's Report in the context of the Budget for 2010, which will be presented to the House later...