Results 19,801-19,820 of 21,042 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Funding (15 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: As Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Since the 1 April 2012, the NTA has been assigned responsibility for managing the RTP and also has responsibility for implementing the recently announced restructuring of the Programme. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Services Provision (9 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) announced by me on 9 July 2013.  The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future. I am advised by the NTA that during the restructuring of the RTP, their priority is to ensure the...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 19:In page 67, lines 19 and 20, to delete “small public service industry” and substitute “small public service vehicle industry”.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 14:In page 57, line 2, to delete "date the" and substitute "date of the".Amendments Nos. 14 and 19 are drafting amendments.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept this amendment. The National Transport Authority, NTA, is funded from the Exchequer by way of an administration grant and from revenue received relating to fees generated from SPSV licensing activity. Under section 50(4) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as amended by the Public Transport Regulation, PTR, Act 2009, income generated from fees that is surplus to the income...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept these amendments. The representation of SPSV operators on the Taxi Advisory Committee already provides the flexibility for representation from single and multiple licence holders. These amendments, in my view, do not improve on the current provision in the Bill, which is a restatement of the statute under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. A broad balance is required on this...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: They do not.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I understand the reason for this amendment, but it is unnecessary. The Oireachtas committees have already the power to invite any person to appear before them. I cannot accept the amendment. It is the function of the Taxi Advisory Committee to give advice to the National Transport Authority and to the Minister. The NTA is the deciding authority on matters relating to the regulation of...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: While I will not accept the amendment, I am in full agreement with the principle behind it, which is concerned with transport needs in rural areas and the transport requirements of rural dwellers. No other Minister or Minister of State who dealt with the taxi industry kept referring to the fact that we must regulate it for the entire country. What applies in Dublin does not apply anywhere...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I accept the Deputy's bona fides and understand what he is trying to get across. The issue is that we have market failure in rural areas. There is market failure where I live and we need to deal with this issue. I must be a Minister of State for all of the country, not just for Dublin, Cork or rural towns. I must try to ensure a provision of service. I also have responsibility for rural...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not intend to accept this amendment. As detailed on Committee Stage, this provision under section 20(1) of the Bill enables the NTA to make regulations concerning standards of conduct, general behaviour, deportment or dress of persons operating SPSVs. This is a restatement and clarification of the existing provision under section 34(6) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, providing that...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: A compliment from Deputy Boyd Barrett is worth it.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The only reason this amendment cannot be accepted is that it makes a commitment from a financial point of view. I am working to ensure that what is proposed in the amendment happens. Section 19(2) states the authority will:... promote the development of high quality cost effective services by small public service vehicles and their drivers which meet a wide range of customer needs including...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Nenagh has a fine hospital.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: It is not just about the drivers; it is about the vehicles as well.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The specification states that the taxi should have the capacity for a wheelchair plus three people. There needs to be some flexibility in this regard. It is not just about the driver but the car as well.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I know the firm to which the Deputy refers.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not have the exact figure sought by Deputy Ellis but I believe it is somewhere in the region of €10 million and the money is used to defray the administrative costs of the NTA and also for regulating the taxi industry. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised an issue with me prior to the commencement of the debate on this Bill and I have already communicated the fact that this must be...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: With regard to the revocation, a licence will stand suspended for three months. Obviously, on reaching the end of the three-month period, the licence will be back in place. Insurance is a matter for the driver. I will not be getting involved in the intricacies of insurance. A driver's insurance is a matter for himself or herself. Everyone's circumstances will be different. I stress to...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Probably not by the time I am finished with it.