Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2005 > Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, 2004 and Work Programme 2005

APPENDIX 5

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT

PROCEEDINGS

27^th January 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.30 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies Martin Brady, Pat Breeen, John Ellis), Jim Glennon, Denis Naughten, Noel O’Flynn, Eoin Ryan and Róisín Shortall.

Senators: Fergal Browne, Tom Morrisey and David Norris.

Apologies were received from Deputy Peter Power

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

Adjournment

5.The Committee adjourned at 3.39 p.m. until 4^th February 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

4 February 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies Pat Breen, John Ellis Jim Glennon, Denis Naughten, Noel O’Flynn, Peter Power, Eoin Ryan (in the chair) and Róisín Shortall.

Senators Fergal Browne, Timmy Dooley, Tom Morrisey and David Norris.

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment

The Committee adjourned at 10.33 a.m. until the 10^th February 04.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 11 February 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.47 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies John Ellis (in the chair), Martin Brady, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Dennis Naughton, Peter Power, Eoin Ryan and Roisin Shotrtall.

Senators Fergal Browne, Tom Morrisey and David Norris

Apologies were received from Deputy Pat Breen

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session.

The Committee met in public session at 10.06 a.m.

7.Presentation by the National Roads Authority

Mr. Michael Tobin, Chief Executive, Mr. Michael Egan, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Eugene O’Connor, Head of Project Management & Development and Mr. Gerry Murphy, PPP Manager made a presentation to the Committee following which a question and answer session ensued.

8.Adjournment

The Committee adjourned at 11.48 a.m. until the 24^th February 2004

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 25 February 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Room Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.36 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies Eoin Ryan (in the chair), Martin Brady, Pat Breen, John Ellis, Jim Glennon, Denis Naughten Peter Power and Róisín Shortall.

Senators Fergal Browne, Timmy Dooley, David Norris and Tom Morrisey

Also in attendance, Deputy Eammon Ryan

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session.

6.Presentation by the Iarnród Éireann on Rail Interconnector

Mr. Joe Meagher, Managing Director, Mr. Tom Finn, Manager, Strategic Planning Mr. Michael Reidy, Manager, Programmes & Projects and Mr. Diarmuid O’Mhurchu, Programme Manager, Design & Consultants made a presentation to the Committee following which a question and answer session ensued.

7.Adjournment

The Committee adjourned at 11.00 a.m. Tuesday 9^th March 2004

PROCEEDINGS

Tuesday 9 March 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.33 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair) Martin Brady, Pat Breen, John Ellis, Denis Naughton, Peter Power and Roisin Shortall.

Senators: Fergal Browne, Timmy Dooley and David Norris.

Apologies were received from Deputy Jim Glennon.

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session.

The Joint Committee met in Public Session at 3.04 p.m.

8.Briefing by Officials from Department of Transport Regarding Bus Licensing

Mr Pat Mangan, Assistant Secretary, Public Transport (Regulation & Reform), Mr John Browne, Principal Officer, Public Transport (Bus Licensing & Railway Safety) Division and Mr Dermot McCarthy, Principal Officer, Public Transport (Regulatory & Reform) Division made a presentation to the Committee following which a question and answer session ensued.

9.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 4.31 p.m. until 23^rd March 2004

PROCEEDINGS

23 March 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.30 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), Martin Brady, John Ellis, Denis Naughten, Peter Power and Róisín Shortall

Senators: Tom Morrisey

Apologies were received from Deputies Jim Glennon and Séamus Healy

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session.

4.Item discussed in private session.

5.Item discussed in private session.

6.Item discussed in private session.

7.Item discussed in private session.

8.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 3p.m. until 6^th April 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

7 April 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1 Leinster House 2000 at 9.30 am

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), Martin Brady, Jim Glennon, Peter Power and Róisín Shortall.

Senators: Feargal Browne, Timmy Dooley and Tom Morrissey.

Apologies were received from Senator David Norris.

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session.

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 11.27 am until 20^th April 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

Tuesday 20 April 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.34p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), Martin Brady, Pat Breen, Jim Glennon, Denis Naughten, Charlie O’Connor (in substitution for Deputy O’Flynn) and Róisín Shortall.

Senators: Feargal Browne, Paddy Burke (in the absence of Fergal Browne for part of the meeting), Brendan Daly (in the absence of Timmy Dooley for part of the meeting) Timmy Dooley and Tom Morrissey.

Apologies were received from Deputy Peter Power and Senator David Norris.

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session.

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session.

The Joint Committee met in Public Session at 2.41 p.m.

6.Road Safety

Meeting with officials from Department of Transport, the Department of Justice, representatives of the Garda Siochana and the National Safety Council

Department of Transport: Mr. John Murphy, Assistant Secretary Road Transport Sector & Chairman of High Level Road Safety Group, Mr. John Weafer, Principal Officer, Road Safety &Traffic Division; Ms. Hilary Dalton, Assistant Principal Officer Road Safety & Traffic Division.

Dept of Justice Equality & Law Reform: Mr. Brendan Callaghan, Principal Officer, Mr. Michael Kirrane, Principal Officer, and Ms. Oonagh McPhillips, Assistant Principal.

Garda Siochana: Deputy Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, Operations, Chief Superintendent Michael McCarty, Dublin Metropolitan Regional Traffic Division and Chief Superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick, Garda National Traffic Bureau.

National Safety Council: Mr. Pat Costello, Chief Executive and Mr. Alan Richardson Secretary/Financial made presentations to the Committee.

A question and answer session ensued.

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 4.59 p.m. sine die

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 21 April 2004

In Public Session.

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.38 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), Pat Breen, Jim Glennon, Peter Power and Roisin Shortall

Senators: Feargal Browne, Timmy Dooley and Tom Morrissey

Apologies were received from Senator David Norris.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

The Committee met in public session at 9.43 a.m.

6.Presentation by Aer Lingus and officials from the Department of Transport Re: Aviation Matters

Department of Transport: Mr. John Lumsden, Assistant Secretary, Ms. Doreen Keaney, Principal Officer, Ms. Mary Dunning Assistant Principal

Aer Lingus: Mr. Willie Walsh, Chief Executive and Mr. Brian Dunne, Chief Financial Officer made a presentation to the Committee.

A question and answer session ensued.

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 12.06 p.m. sine die

PROCEEDINGS

5 May 2004

In Public Session.

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 12 noon.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), John Ellis, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Denis Naughten, Peter Power and Roisin Shortall.

Senators: Feargal Browne, Timmy Dooley, David Norris and Tom Morrissey

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 1.34 p.m. until 12^th May 2004

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 12 May 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), John Creegan (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Denis Naughten, Peter Power and Roisin Shortall.

Senators: Timmy Dooley.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

7.Meeting with the Minister for Transport, Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D. and the Taxi Hardship Panel

Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D., Minister for Transport made a presentation to the Committee. A question and answer session ensued.

8.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 10.51 a.m. until 12^th May 2004 at 6.00 p.m.

PROCEEDINGS

12 May 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 6.00 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: Eoin Ryan (in the chair), John Ellis, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Denis Naughten, Peter Power and Roisin Shorthall.

Senators: Feargal Browne, David Norris and Tom Morrissey

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 8.10 p.m.

PROCEEDINGS

26 May 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Denis Naughten Peter Power, Róisín Shortall and Ollie Wilkinson (in substitute for Deputy Brady)

Senators: Timmy Dooley, David Norris and Tom Morrissey.

Apologies were received from Deputy Eoin Ryan

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 10.35 a.m.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 21 July 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 3.04 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Barry Andrews (in part substitution for Martin Brady), Martin Brady, Pat Breen, John Carty (in substitution for Eoin Ryan), Jimmy Devins (in substitution for Peter Power), Jim Glennon, Denis Naughten and Róisin Shortall.

Senators: Fergal Browne, Maurice Cummins (in part substitution for Fergal Browne), Timmy Dooley, Tom Morrissey and Shane Ross (in substitution for David Norris).

Deputies Finian McGrath, Eamon Ryan, Sean Ryan, and Senators Mary White, Terry Leydon and Paul Bradford also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies Seamus Healy, Peter Power, Eoin Ryan, and Senator David Norris.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

The Committee met in Public Session at 3.12 p.m.

6.Discussion on the future of Aer Lingus with the Minister for Transport, Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D., officials from the Department of Transport and Mr. Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus

The Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, T.D., accompanied by Department Officials John Lumsden (Assistant Secretary), Doreen Keaney (Principal Officer) and Mary Dunning (Assistant Principal).

The Committee was suspended at 4.44 p.m.

The Committee resumed at 4.49 p.m. in public session.

The Joint Committee met with representatives of Aer Lingus: Mr. Willie Walsh, Chief Executive, Mr. Brian Dunne, Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Seamus Kearney, Chief Operations Officer, to discuss their views of the future management of Aer Lingus. A question and answer session ensued.

Deputy Glennon took the chair at 5.55 p.m.

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 6.45 p.m. sine die.

PROCEEDINGS

22 September 2004.

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 9.38 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Martin Brady, Pat Breen, John Carty (in substitution for Jim Glennon), Seamus Healy and Denis Naughten.

Senators: Paul Coughlan (in part substitution for Fergal Browne), Fergal Browne, Kieran Phelan (in part substitution for Timmy Dooley), Timmy Dooley and Tom Morrissey.

Apologies were received from Deputies Peter Power, Eoin Ryan and Róisín Shortall and Senator David Norris.

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 10.03 a.m. sine die.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 6 October 2004

In Public Session

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.35 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Martin Brady, Pat Breen, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Denis Naughten, Noel O’Flynn, Peter Power and Róisín Shortall.

Senators: Fergal Browne, Timmy Dooley Tom Morrissey and Shane Ross (in substitution for Senator Norris.

Apologies were received from Deputies Eoin Ryan and Noel O’Flynn.

Deputies Sean Haughey, Joe Higgins, Eamon Ryan and Sean Ryan also attended.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

7.Discussion on future strategic proposals of Aer Lingus with Mr. Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer

Mr Willie Walsh, Chief Executive and Mr Brian Dunne, Chief Financial Officer of AerLingus made a presentation to the Committee. A question and answer session ensued.

8.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 6.01 p.m. until 20^th October 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 20 October 2004

In Public Session

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.35 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Seamus Healy, Olivia Mitchell, Peter Power and Roisin Shortall.

Senators: Timmy Dooley, Tom Morrissey and David Norris.

Deputy Sean Ryan also attended

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

7.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

8.Discussion on future strategic proposals of Aer Lingus

Mr Peter Glynn, Central Representative Council, Mr Shay Cody, IMPACT, Mr Michael Halpenny and Patricia King of SIPTU and Mr. Liam Burney of ICTU made presentations to the Committee following which a question and answer session ensued.

9.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 3.07 p.m. until the 27^th October 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 27 October 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.38 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Martin Brady, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Noel O’Flynn and Peter Power

Senators: Paddy Burke and Timmy Dooley

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

The Joint Committee met in Public Session at 2.40 p.m.

6.Meeting with a Delegation from the Committee on Economics of the Hungarian Parliament

György Podolák (Member of Hungarian Parliament), János Latorcai (Member of Hungarian Parliament) and Ms Edit Beczkay (Clerk and Advisor to the Committee). Also in attendance were HE Dr János Balassa, Hungarian Ambassador to Ireland and Dr György Bobok, Hungarian Embassy.

Following a presentation by the visiting delegation about the work of the Economics Committee, a question and answer session followed.

7.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 3.41 p.m. sine die.

PROCEEDINGS

Thursday 4 November 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Olivia Mitchell, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Paul Connaughton, Noel O’Flynn, Peter Power, Roisin Shortall.

Senators: Paddy Burke, David Norris and Timmy Dooley.

Deputy Sean Ryan was also in attendance

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

6Luas Safety: Discussion with representatives of the Railway Procurement Agency and Connex Transport Ireland.

Opening presentations were given by Mr Frank Allen, Chief Executive, Railway Procurement Agency, Mr Michael Sheedy, Project Manager, Light Rail, Mr Richard Dujardin, Managing Director, Connex Transport Ireland and Mr Brian Brennan, Project Manager, Connex Transport Ireland in relation to LUAS safety. A question and answer session followed.

7.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 4.54 p.m. until Thursday 11^th November 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 10 November 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.35 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Paul Connaughton, Jim Glennon, Olivia Mitchell, Peter Power and Róisín Shortall.

Senators: Paddy Burke, Timmy Dooley, Tom Morrissey and David Norris.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

7.Presentations by Iarnród Éireann in relation to services on the Sligo and Westport line.

Mr. Joe Meagher, Managing Director, Iarnród Éireann, Mr. Dick Fern, Chief Operations Officer, Iarnród Éireann, and Mr. John McCarty, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Iarnród Éireann made a presentation to the Committee. A question and answer session ensued.

8.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 10.29 a.m. until Wednesday 17^th November 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 17 November 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 2.37 p.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Paul Connaughton, Jim Glennon, Seanus Healy, Michael Lowry, Olivia Mitchell Peter Power, Róisín Shortall and Ollie Wilkinson.

Senators: Paddy Burke, Timmy Dooley, Tom Morrissey and David Norris.

Deputy Eamon Ryan was also in attendance.

In Private Session

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

In Public Session

6.Presentation by the National Roads Authority on the development of the State’s road infrastructure.

Mr. Michael Tobin, Chief Executive, Mr. Eugene O’Connor, Head of Project Manager and Engineering, Mr. Michael Egan, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Gerard Murphy, PPP Manager, and Mr. Michael Kennedy, Assistant PPP (Public Private Partnership) Manager were in attendance. Mr Michael Tobin made a presentation. A question and answer session ensued.

7.Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 5.07 p.m. until Thursday 25^th November 2004.

PROCEEDINGS

1 December 2004

1.The Joint Committee met in public session in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000 at 9.20 a.m.

2.Attendance

The following Members attended:

Deputies: John Ellis (in the chair), Olivia Mitchell, Jim Glennon, Seamus Healy, Michael Lowry, Paul Connaughton, Ollie Wilkinson and Róisín Shorthall

Senators: Paddy Burke, Timmy Dooley and David Norris

In Private Session.

3.Item discussed in private session

4.Item discussed in private session

5.Item discussed in private session

6.Adjournment.

There being no other business, the Committee adjourned at 9.32 a.m.