27 Samh 2012, 12:04
The Committee on Transport and Communications will meet with Cormac O’Rourke, Chairman Designate, National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA); and Brendan Newsome, Chairman Designate, Wicklow Port Company tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th November 2012.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) was formally established as an independent statutory body under the Roads Act, 1993 with effect from 1 January, 1994. The Authority's primary function is to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of National roads. For this purpose, it has overall responsibility for planning and supervision of construction and maintenance works on these roads.
RPA was established as an Independent Statutory Body, by Ministerial Order on December 28th 2001 following the passing of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act, 2001. RPA's brief is to: secure the provision of, or to provide, such light railway and metro infrastructure as may be determined from time to time by the Minister for Transport and to monitor and publish regular reports on the safety of the light railway and metro infrastructure.
Wicklow Port Company took over the functions from Wicklow Harbour Commissioners in May 2002. It specialises in handling bundled timber, paper, lead, plasterboard, steel and dry bulk cargoes, principally coal. Other general and heavy lift cargoes can be accommodated.
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD said: “Under the Programme for Government, those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee. The meeting tomorrow with Cormac O’Rourke and Brendan Newsome will allow the Committee consider the approach they propose to take as Chairpersons of their respective organisations and discuss their views about their priorities and the challenges their organisations face in the immediate period ahead.
“The Committee does not have a blocking role in the appointments and following the discussion tomorrow, decisions will be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm Cormac O’Rourke and Brendan Newsome as chairpersons.”
The meeting starts at 9.30am on Wednesday, 28th November in Committee Room 4, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS