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Title    Commentary on  government cuts to infrastructure investment

Intro.   Today’s papers have some of the details of the cuts to Metro North, Dart Underground etc.  Pat Mangan FCILT of our policy committee has prepared this commentary explaining the detail.

Please click here to read the document...

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has today (Tuesday) welcomed the decision by American carrier United Continental to open a new daily route from Dublin to Washington Dulles Airport from June 2012.

The prospect of bringing a city-bike scheme to Cork city was the subject of a major symposium organised today.

Members of the public, business interests, civic and community groups today joined Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly and CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA) Gerry Murphy atCork’s first ever public Bike Symposium.

17th October 2011 – The new President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport*, Aidan Murphy, hascalled on the Government to deliver the proposed Dart rail link to Dublin Airportasa simple and inexpensive means of providing a useful and much-needed piece of transport infrastructure.

 Minister backs project with significant local & national potential

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar haswelcomed the signing of a Heads of Agreement between Dublin Airport Authority and the Lynxs Cargo Group, which proposes building a new cargo facility at the airport.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar haslaunched new laws to pave the way for tougher drink driving limits later this year.

A €1.1 million upgrade of Bus Éireann vehicles and facilities hasbeen announced today (Wednesday) by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has welcomed the decision by Emirates to open a new daily route from Dublin to Dubai.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar TD has announced that following an EU public tendering process, contracts to provide scheduled air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes between Donegal andDublinand Kerry andDublinhave been secured by two airlines.

Pharmaceutical and medical technologies companies need best distribution practice when reaching exports markets – states Irish Exporters Association, at a ceremony to award Geodis Ireland Ltd the IEA Life Sciences Ireland GDP Passport Certification.

AbbottIreland

Abbott is one ofIreland’s leading health care companies. AbbottIrelandmanufactures and markets a broad range of health care products including medical devices, and pharmaceutical, diagnostic and nutritional products. Abbott has seven manufacturing facilities located in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo as well as commercial sales and marketing operations inDublinandWestport. Abbott has been operating inIrelandsince 1946.

As you all would be aware by now, the CILT International Convention in Sydney, May 2011 was a great success. Congratulations to Howard, Hal, Megan and Hanna on a great outcome.

It was a great week...a combination of inspiration and mentorship; fun and friendship. A particular focus at the conference was the way forward for young professionals—the group aged 35 and under. The vision proposed by those YPs present received great support from international delegates. All who were lucky enough to attend would agree there was great encouragement to form an International Young Professionals Committee.

Ireland’s largest independent producer of concrete construction materials is seeking applications for a Shipping Clerk for its Paving and Walling division.

Job Role and Title: Shipping Clerk

Location of Job: Clonee, Co. Meath

Salary: €23,000 - €25,000

Additional Benefits: Opportunity to progress within a successful and ambitious Company

Qualifications: Recognised qualification in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Average reduction in journey times of 73%

14% reduction in accidents

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD, today launched the second major road project in less than a week, when he turned the sod on the N22 Tralee Bypass.  Speaking today, the Minister said: “This project will dramatically improve safety benefits to motorists and vulnerable road users alike resulting in a predicted 14% reduction in accidents. 

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has today welcomed the decision of the Port of Cork to pay the state a dividend of €634,315 in respect of 2010. This represents 30% of the Port’s after tax profits and is the first time that the Port Company has paid a dividend to the state.

Varadkar announces new €8.5m initiative to support inbound tourism from key overseas markets

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar T.D., has confirmed that the Government has decided to retain the €3 Travel Tax pending a further review next spring.  As part of the Jobs Initiative, it was announced that the €3 Travel Tax would be suspended subject to a deal being reached with airlines to re-instate cancelled routes and restore lost capacity.

The Great Western Greenway will be officially opened today by Minister Michael Ring T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.

The first phase of the Great Western Greenway, an 18km route off-road cycling and walking route from Newport to Mulranny, was opened in April 2010.  Following the huge success of this first phase, the initial 18km route was extended, from Mulranny to Achill and from Newport to Westport, resulting in a 42km route which will loop around scenic Clew Bay, mainly along the line of the old Midland Great Western Railway.

Completed N25 will see projected reduction in journey time of 75% during peak periods

Minster for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD today officially commenced works on the N25 Cork Southern Ring Road.  The Minister said:  “Turning the sod on this important new road project will benefit Cork City, Cork County and the greater region.”

“ A  large retailer has a vacant position in their textiles stock management department. The person will assist the Logistics team in the management of Global and Domestic Logistics.

Irish Exporters welcome investment as IWT Ballina-Dublin rail freight become first customer of new facility

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD today marked the opening of a new rail spur in Dublin Port, set to enhance the competitiveness of rail freight for Dublin Port and Iarnród Éireann customers.

A freight forwarder involved in the import and export of various commodities to and from all over the world. They are in the process of hiring a full time Operations clerk and also a short term Operations assistant. They are not adverse to the idea that the student / individual may join them on a short term basis and develop into the full time Operations clerk.

Over 330 jobs created with 25 person-years of employment for sustainable travel projects 

Mr Alan Kelly T.D. Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, today (11 July) announced the release of €4million worth of funding for sustainable travel projects outside the Greater Dublin Area as part of the Jobs Initiative Smarter Travel Funding Package. In the region of 330 additional jobs will be created or as much as 25 person years of employment providing some small stimulus to the local economy.  

In accordance with Rule 2.5 of the Deed of Trust, nominations are invited for ten ordinary members of Council for the year commencing 1st October 2011.

Committee debates draft laws for alcohol testing at lower levels, ‘Restricted’ drivers, & higher penalty points for learners

Plans for wide-ranging road safety laws were published today (Tuesday) by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar including mandatory breath testing at lower alcohol levels, higher penalty points for novice drivers and a new class of Restricted driver.

CILT – the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland – is the recognised body for all professionals involved in the transport and logistics industries in this country. Part of a global network of 30,000 members in 30 countries worldwide, the Irish organisation has 1000 members, is based in central Dublin, employs 6 FTEs and has an annual revenues of  €1M.

CILT Wishes to recruit a new CEO

21^st June 2011 - The President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Paul Mallee, has been appointed the new Chairperson on Bus Éireann.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has today (Tuesday) confirmed his appointment of a new Chairperson of CIE, and a new Chairperson of each of its three subsidiaries.

Minister confirms €5 Million for Projects in Regional Cities under Jobs Initiative

Minister for Public Transport and Commuter Policy, Alan Kelly, has confirmed that €55 million will be spent on sustainable travel projects this year.

The Minister confirmed the figure as he announced the 34 projects being carried out in our regional cities under the jobs initiative.

Iarnród Éireann has welcomed the findings of an EU-wide survey of rail passengers’ satisfaction with Intercity rail services, conducted by Eurobarometer for the European Commission.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has today (Tuesday) announced additional funding for regional airports for this year, and said financial support will continue to be available until the end of the year.

Today, Minister of State Alan Kelly TD welcomed the decision by ERTICO –ITS Europe to host the next European Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Congress in The Convention Centre Dublin in June 2013.  This key European transport event will take place during the Irish Presidency of the European Council.  It will bring in excess of 2,000 delegates into Dublin and provides an opportunity to showcase our state-of-the-art deployments in transport technology.

3rd June 2011 – Speaking at the beginning of the June bank holiday weekend, the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)*, Paul Mallee, has called for the doubling of penalty points at bank holiday weekends in order to reduce fatalities on Irish roads.

Wide range of further safety measures being considered

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has confirmed that major new road safety measures come into force today (Wednesday) for mandatory breath testing.

26 May 2011 – The President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Paul Mallee, has welcomed the confirmation from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, that new regulations on the mandatory testing for alcohol of all drivers involved in accidents or collisions will come into operation next week.

Direct comparisons of the traffic numbers between April 2010 and April 2011 give an incorrect picture of the percentage increases between the two years because of the impact of the Icelandic volcanic ash crisis on the April 2010 traffic levels. Therefore, a more realistic percentage is achieved after compensating for the ash crisis.

A total of 169,000 pedestrians, cyclists and users of powered two-wheeled vehicles (PTW) have been killed on European roads since 2001; 15,300 of them in 2009. These figures published in the new Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) Flash amount to a decrease in the number of deaths by 34% for pedestrians and cyclists, and just 18% for PTW riders compared to the baseline year of 2001. While the number of total road deaths decreased considerably over the 2001-2010 decade, the number of killed PTW riders actually increased in 13 EU countries.

The Annual PRAISE Awards for road safety at work were presented to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and KTL, both Ireland-based companies, during the Annual PRAISE Seminar. “We congratulate the two prestigious winners of the awards for their hard work. These awards represent more than recognition of good company-level road safety policies.

19th May 2011 - The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has paid tribute to former Taoiseach, former President of the Institute, and Fellow of CILT International, Dr Garret FitzGerald, following his death this morning.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced his intention to amalgamate Dundalk Port Company with Dublin Port Company.

“First of six new road starts begin today”

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has today (Thursday) turned the sod on the €26 million N5 Longford Bypass. This new road scheme, which will consist of 2.6km of single carriageway, is due for completion towards the end of next year.  The N5 Longford Bypass is the first of six new road starts beginning in 2011.

Minister also announces three-pronged plan to boost tourism industry including multi-million incentive fund

A €75 million boost for transport projects to create at least 1,000 new jobs has been announced today (Tuesday) by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar as part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative.

Scheme will create jobs & encourage more train journeys

A €1 million fund to spruce up train stations has been announced today (Friday) by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, who said it would stimulate job creation and encourage more people to use public transport.

Several years ago it was wrote about a road safety communication covering the problem of fraudulent insurance claims as various forms fraud, including staged and induced ‘slam-on’ collisions, particularly targeted at liveried fleet vehicles, had been in the media.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD has today (Friday) published adverts in the national press seeking new Board members for CIE and other State agencies.

I would like to welcome the publication last week of the European Commission White Paper Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system. In particular it is important that the Commission is engaged in such forward planning that envisages developments in the field of public transport up to 2050.

For far too long the development of public transport in Ireland has lacked a long term vision.

23 March 2011 – The President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Paul Mallee, has said the new Road Traffic Bill 2011 introduced in the Dail today contains a package of common sense measures that should build on the great work that has been done in recent years to reduce the number of fatalities on Irish roads.

Mandatory breath testing for collisions involving injuries

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar will tomorrow (Wednesday) urge cross-party support for new road safety laws which will make it mandatory for Gardaí to take a breath test at any road collision where someone has been injured.

A member of National Yacht Club for the past 25 years and a Past President of The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Ireland Cartan Finegan has written a memoir ‘3 SCORE and 10’, described by a critic as “ from defending contaminated Irish butter before Lancashire housewives to dodging landmines in Mozambique and bombs in Belfast, to locking horns with Ministers in pursuit of safer roads, his look back on 70 years of Irish Society, political intrigue and the nascent days of Ireland’s export economy is a memoir of Irish political life that is both entertaining and insightful.