Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ministerial Policy.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

276 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will set out the legislative and administrative priorities of her Department following her appointment as Minister; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

It is my intention as Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications to ensure that my Department and all of the State-sponsored bodies under its aegis are properly geared to foster the continued development of the tourism, transport, communications and broadcasting sectors and to secure the necessary resources and legislative support for that development.

As regards legislation, I hope to secure Government approval to initiate two Bills in Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann in the present session: International Carriage by Rail Bill — to give effect to COTIF — Convention concerning international carriage by rail; and Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Bill — to enable the State to implement Council Directive 89/684/EEC of 21 December 1989 on vocational training of certain drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods by road and to accede to ADR-European Agreement concerning international carriage of dangerous goods by road.

I shall also be proceeding with the legislation necessary to comply with other obligations of the European Community affecting my areas of responsibility, as set out in my reply to Deputy Peter Barry's Dáil Question No. 266 on 18 February 1922, and with new legislation for the bus industry and to provide for the reorganisation of the air navigation services office of my Department.

As I indicated in reply to questions on the subject on 25 February 1992, I am currently carrying out as a matter of urgency my own review of the operation of the Broadcasting Act, 1990. I will be formulating my proposals on the best way forward and putting these before Government for consideration as soon as possible.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

277 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline the precise actions she intends to take now to promote equality within her Department in general and in particular to promote qualified women to higher posts within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

My Department operates within the framework of the equal opportunity policy and guidelines for the Civil Service and the promotion of equality of opportunity is a high priority in the Department.

Female officers are encouraged to avail of management development programmes run by the Civil Service Training Centre and I can assure the Deputy that there is equality of opportunity in relation to promotions to internal vacancies in my Department.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

278 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will define the new and existing responsibilities of the Minister of State within her Department following the recent changes in the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The Minister of State attached to my Department will work with me on the following: road freight matters; reorganisation of air navigation services office; meteorological service; and Ireland's participation in EXPO '92.

I am also proposing to delegate certain statutory functions i.e. licensing and enforcement under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts and the necessary order giving effect to this will shortly be made.