Minister for Transport (Ireland)
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The Minister for Transport (Irish: Aire Iompair) is the senior minister at the Department of Transport in the Government of Ireland. The current Minister for Transport is Noel Dempsey, TD. He is assisted by:
- Noel Ahern, TD – Minister of State for Road Safety.
[edit] Overview
The Minister and the Department are responsible for implementing an integrated transport policy. The integrated policy will be designed as far as possible to overcome existing delays, bottlenecks and congestion and to provide the consumer with greater choice by offering alternative modes of transport. Through the integrated approach the Department will develop and implement policies designed to improve regional balance, and reduce rural isolation and social exclusion.
Specific responsibilities which come under the aegis of the Minister for Transport in relation to national roads and to road transport in general include: delivering on the national roads programme as part of the national development plan; implementing the Government's roads safety strategy and related policies for the regulation of vehicle standards; road haulage licensing; driver licensing; and driver testing.
In respect of aviation policy, the Department is responsible for ensuring that aviation practices and procedures comply with best international standards; promoting the development of a vibrant, competitive and progressively regulated aviation sector and the provision of adequate airport infrastructure and competitive airport services.
In respect of Maritime Transport, the Department is responsible for establishing, promoting, regulating and enforcing Maritime Safety and Security Standards, providing emergency response services and safeguarding the Maritime Environment. It is also responsible for ports and shipping policy.
In 1991 the functions of the Minister for Communications were transferred to the Minister for Transport. In January 2006 several areas relating to the Marine were moved to the Department of Transport from the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. These included the Irish Coast Guard, Marine Survey Office (MSO), Aids to Navigation Section and the Marine Environment Division.
