Results 29,041-29,060 of 33,214 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Agreements: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman and the committee for facilitating consideration of this Dáil motion to approve the terms of four important aviation agreements between the European Union and Canada, Georgia, Moldova and Jordan. The European Union’s external aviation policy has developed gradually, particularly over the past decade since the European Court’s so-called open skies...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Agreements: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank members for their questions. Deputy Dooley asked about our plans to make the most of our agreement with Canada. This was also referred to by Deputy Ellis. This is a good example of the importance of finding common ground between the transport and tourism parts of my Department. One of the most important insights I have had from my role pertains to the fundamental importance of...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Agreements: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As I stated a few moments ago, I am required by law to be extremely careful in what I say on that and other matters given that the Irish Takeover Panel has deemed us to be in a takeover period. Perhaps it would be useful if I rehearsed the comments I made to the Dáil last night in regard to any potential disposal of Heathrow slots. I stated:A specific mechanism was built into the...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Agreements: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a very important point. The direct answer to the Chairman's question is that we can and do negotiate bilateral agreements. I could give a number of examples of the importance of that. One of the factors that any general business involved in aviation, such as aircraft leasing, would point to when asked why Ireland is such a strong location to do business in is the breadth of treaties...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is not a legal requirement for a local authority engineer to attend the scene of a fatal accident.  However, in October 2007, the LA16 Form was introduced to be completed jointly by a Garda and a Local Authority Engineer following each fatal collision. The purpose of this form is to record factual information pertaining to such collisions and quickly to establish if there are road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.  The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements.   I understand from the RSA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of the Vision Zero Initiative. Our Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020 incorporates many of the same principles. Our Strategy is based on the Safe Systems approach to road safety which is built on the principles of human behaviour, human frailty and forgiving systems. This approach reinforces the concept of shared responsibility across organisations, businesses and communities. It...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Accidents Data (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Every fatality on Irish roads is a tragedy. It is a cause of deep concern that road fatalities rose in 2013 and in 2014, despite the best efforts of the Road Safety Authority, the Gardaí and other responsible agencies.    The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020 contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies concerned in order to build on the previous...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: While I am disappointed with the increase in road fatalities over the past two years, I am satisfied that our current Road Safety Strategy, together with forthcoming legislation which will focus on drug driving, will allow Ireland to maintain progress in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. Existing legal obligations combined with vehicle roadworthiness testing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In line with its regional tourism development functions, Fáilte Ireland has operational responsibility for the development of tourism in Dublin.  In this context, it is pursuing the implementation of "Destination Dublin: A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020", which was developed by the Grow Dublin Taskforce, representing all the key tourism stakeholders in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In response to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question in October 2014, I indicated that the Courts would retain the driving licence where an individual is disqualified and therefore required to surrender his or her licence. I provided this information in good faith and on the basis of long standing practice in the Courts. I have since had the matter re-examined and am informed that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Landing Slots (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Airport slots are a right granted to an airline which allows the airline to schedule a landing and departure during a specific time period. The slots are not 'owned' as such by the airlines or the State. However, at congested airports, such as Heathrow, a secondary market has developed that has allowed airlines trade slots to meet their changing business needs. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the GDA such as those funded by my Department under the Sustainable Transport Grants Programme comes within the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). This rolling programme of measures facilitates investment in various QBCs, cycling/walking, safety and traffic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The maintenance of the Dublin Bus fleet is an operational  matter for the company. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for public transport infrastructure in the GDA including the funding of the Dublin Bus PSO fleet. My Department provides funding to the NTA each year for public transport projects and programmes including a rolling...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (21 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is involved in an ongoing basis in promoting road safety awareness and education. The Authority engages with cycling groups, particularly during the annual cycle week, and subsidises training in primary schools in conjunction with Local Authorities. While the range of measures undertaken by the RSA in this area will always be subject to adjustment in...

Topical Issue Debate: Sport and Recreational Development (20 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I assure the Deputy that I fully recognise the importance of the development of greenways and blue-ways throughout our island for the two reasons to which he referred. I wish to emphasise the sustainable transport aspect. In my visits to various points throughout the country I have been struck by the importance which local authorities attach to having their own sustainable transport...

Topical Issue Debate: Sport and Recreational Development (20 Jan 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am not at all surprised to hear of the interest within the Clonakilty community and within Deputy Daly's constituency, because the roll-out of these greenways across the country has been hugely successful. I can see the demand for the roll-out of this kind of infrastructure really beginning to steadily build. Because of that there is a need for...