Results 121-140 of 193 for speaker:Jim McDaid

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - School Accommodation. (13 Nov 2003)

Jim McDaid: I thank Senator Scanlon for raising this matter. He explained that the school in question applied for a new building in 1972, that in 1985 the project was at its current stage in the school building programme and that the school has six classrooms, 131 children, some of whom have various problems, and 15 staff. I am glad to have an opportunity of outlining to the House the current position of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: As the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Ahern, is not present I shall ask the officials to convey to him the views expressed here. I thank Senators who contributed to the debate and I thank the House for the opportunity to conclude the debate on behalf of the Minister.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: The Luas will be here next year.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: The Senator will be requesting that it serve her area as well.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: I agree with Senator Ryan's points in regard to signage at toll booths and the problems in regard to the use of sterling coins on the Dublin-Belfast motorway. The latter problem is caused by the banks because they do not accept sterling coins. I have experienced the problem myself and will examine it further. I agree with the general theme expressed by Senator Terry and others that we do not...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Every Senator who contributed to tonight's debate referred to the Red Cow roundabout. I cannot imagine what will happen to the Opposition's arguments when we manage to find a solution, which we will. The Red Cow roundabout was conceived in 1984, when the thinking was that in 2014 it would be capable of handling 45,000 vehicles. Our recent economic success, which as Senator McDowell said...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: They should check the newspaper archive in the Oireachtas Library to see what was said about the DART then.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: That is exactly what we are trying to do. As Members will be aware, the Luas system consists of two light rail lines. It is the first major piece of public infrastructure to be constructed in Dublin since the DART some 20 years ago. I have no doubt it will prove to be as popular and attractive to Dubliners as the DART. As the Minister, Deputy Brennan, has said, Senators in the greater Dublin...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Inevitably there has been and will be some disruption during the construction phase, particularly where on-street work is involved. In the case of Luas, every effort has been made to ensure that such disruption is kept to a minimum.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Of course.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: The DART works have hit the headlines in the past week as regards consumers being told of the weekend closures at such a late stage. There was a great deal of hysteria involved, however, because the Opposition suddenly found something to jump onto again.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Exactly and that is what we are going to do.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Senator Browne asked why the Luas work could not be done during the night. I do not wish to be condescending but one cannot build station platforms out of bran flakes. Can Senators imagine trying to lay concrete platforms after midnight? The last DART finishes at midnight when one would have to switch off all the power and begin the work but when would the concrete set? These are ludicrous...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Some people consider what is happening with the DART to be a necessary evil. It does not matter, however, if we upgraded the system – adding extra carriages and extending the platforms – in 1984, 2014 or 2024 because the same discomfiture would occur. We have to deal with it now because the long-term benefits of upgrading the system will be great. The Department has gone into all the...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: It is not that simple. There are some complex issues. We have looked at some international experience in relation to park and ride facilities. It is not as easy as Senator O'Toole pointed out. Some of our research has shown that people are unwilling to break their car journey to avail of the park and ride facilities. It is not the be all and end all of the system.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: It is not a disgrace. I am not ruling out the issue but creating a park and ride facility does not mean everything will be all right. If we built park and ride facilities which did not work, the Senator would be tabling another motion asking why we did not take issues into account.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Given the opportunity provided by the Labour Party tonight, I am happy to put the Government's point of view. I hope Senators will take some time before tabling another motion on transport. They should stop flogging a dead horse.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: There are more important issues to discuss. Perhaps a motion might be tabled in 2005 when we will consider the situation.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: I look forward to 2005 when all the Opposition Senators, Deputies and critics in the media and elsewhere see what has happened in regard to the Luas, the port tunnel and all the other infrastructural projects. It will be a marvellous country in 2005 and 2006. People should stop concentrating on just the Red Cow roundabout. They should look at all the other projects which have been completed...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: Fine Gael proposed this amendment in the Dáil and, as a result, we inserted a new section 51. As Senator Brady pointed out, this is not a matter for the commission which is an independent body. There are 32 taxi meter areas in Ireland. The GPS is working in all these areas and if the taxi people want to use it, it is up to them. It is a commercially sensitive area. It is not for the...