Results 28,161-28,180 of 33,207 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Did Senator Leyden get the vote?

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank all Senators for the way they have contributed to the debate on this Bill and I thank all my officials and those in my Department who have worked on it. They have put a lot of work into looking at how this Bill could be put together and at the right way to regulate something which up to this point had been an area that, by and large, did not have the regulation it needed. With all...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Before I speak briefly on the substance of the Bill, I agree with the points made by Senator Leyden and I thank him for making them. It is an issue I have already commented on publicly today and I made an intervention on Tuesday on this matter. I am very proud to have both of these great and very important companies under my stewardship. I understand their employees have legitimate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Under EU law, Ireland has automatic relations of exchange of driving licences with other EU Member States.  In the case of non-EU States we may reach bilateral arrangements on exchange. Reaching bilateral agreements is not a straight-forward process.  It involves detailed comparison of the two licensing regimes by the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions, so that both can be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), which is a division of my Department, does not have any formal relationship with diving teams or diving schools. With regard to sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups, primary responsibility for missing person searches in inland waters is vested in An Garda Síochána. The IRCG has responsibility for co-ordination of maritime search...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The UK HGV road user levy introduced on 1 April 2014 applies to all HGVs, both UK and foreign, using UK roads.  Under EU legislation it is not permissible to discriminate against non-national operators by charging them differently from national operators for use of the roads infrastructure.  This Government lobbied against the application of the charge to Northern Ireland, but the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to the skills tests for applicants for a taxi licence, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have no role in overseeing the application of the skills tests by the NTA. I have referred your question to the NTA for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please advise my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 964 of 24 March, the Exchequer provides funding supports to four regional airports, Donegal, IWA Knock, Kerry and Waterford under the Regional Airports Programme. Reflecting the recommendations of the IWA Knock Study Group and the draft National Aviation Policy in respect of future funding supports for the regional...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is important to reflect on the journey which has been made to date. We should do that because it will give us confidence in our ability to complete the journey and to realise the many dreams and hopes of the people of this country. It will also give us the confidence to deal with the fears that many people still have as a result of what happened in our economy. They also fear the...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Okay.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a real pity that the Deputy has to use language such as "cabal" and "leeching" when talking about a group of people who are working within governance structures to secure a future for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. I have already outlined to the Deputy the model under which a port like Dún Laoghaire will be integrated into the local authority. I will take the decision on the manner...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy's language of describing a group of people as a cabal is unacceptable.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am struck that whenever I make a genuine attempt to respond to matters that I accept are of interest, the colour of the Deputy's language intensifies and the pitch of his voice gets higher.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: These are important matters that need to be dealt with. As I have said in the House already, it is very important that an acceptable and secure plan is developed for the future of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. There is a group of people at the harbour who are working very hard to deliver that. I have outlined how I will deal with its integration in the future. As I have said, regardless of...

Other Questions: Mountain Rescue Service (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of the measure announced recently by the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice doubling the funds provided by the Northern Ireland Executive to search and rescue volunteer groups. My Department recognises and acknowledges the contribution that these voluntary groups make to their communities and to the general public. As the Deputy is aware, my Department, through the Irish...

Other Questions: Mountain Rescue Service (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware that the volunteers in question do great work. The Minister of State, Deputy Ring, was heavily involved in the matter last year and has a great interest in it.

Other Questions: Mountain Rescue Service (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As I said a special allocation of €200,000 was made last year as a result of the interest the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, had in the matter. That money was provided for the purchase of vehicles to allow the work the Deputy has described to be done better.

Other Questions: Cycling Facilities Provision (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I accept Deputy Murphy's point that in order for these routes to work well they must be integrated and cover relatively long distances. I had the opportunity to experience the success of the greenway in Mayo just over two weeks ago, in the company of the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. That was delivered in an integrated manner through the local authority, with the consent of many private...

Other Questions: Cycling Facilities Provision (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I agree with Deputy Murphy's points. We are hoping, through our smarter travel initiative, to find ways to encourage more people to use public transport. The Deputy will be aware that the millionth Leap Card was issued in the Dublin area a few weeks ago. We are now extending that programme to different parts of the country. It is now being made available in Limerick, for example. I...