Results 3,361-3,380 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Driver Licences (28 Jul 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. I agree the number of people waiting for appointments is at an unacceptably high level. I believe a further extension of the licences is the correct approach to deal with the issue. The extension is subject to EU approval and my officials have contacted the EU in that regard. We will also be prioritising work on the legislation required to get the online system up and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ports Development (28 Jul 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Rosslare Europort continues to work closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and other Government Departments and offices in preparing for the border controls and other impacts that will arise from Brexit. The port's border inspection post, on a 16 acre site 1 km from the port, is ready for operation and additional staff have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ports Development (28 Jul 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: In regard to the free zone, Rosslare Europort is seeking the creation of such a zone at the port to facilitate and encourage the development of businesses. The port has been engaging with Wexford County Council on this matter. Among the business opportunities the port wishes to pursue in the context of a free zone is the creation of a facility to service the growing offshore wind industry....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Policy (9 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank all the Deputies for raising this important issue. I am acutely aware that, as an island nation, Ireland is particularly dependent on air connectivity both socially and economically, and aviation plays a critical role in our economy. However, due to coronavirus, global civil aviation is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis, more severe than what happened after the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Policy (9 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will be brief and try to keep to the time allotted. I have engaged with travel agents and have written to the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding supports for them. With regard to Aer Lingus workers, the Deputies can be assured that protecting jobs and employment is a key priority for the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Broadband Plan (16 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The national broadband plan, NBP, contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland, NBI, in November 2019 to roll out a high-speed and future-proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in nearly 540,000...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Broadband Plan (16 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will pass on those questions to the Minister, Deputy Ryan. We all understand the importance of the roll-out of broadband throughout the country and I understand the Deputy's frustration. We have all felt similar frustration in our constituencies over the years and we know this Government knows the importance of rolling out the broadband plan. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (16 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: 4 o’clock I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from the councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. I thank the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (16 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is the intention of the Department to liaise with Cork County Council regarding the programme and the timing of repair works. The Deputy can rest assured that that engagement is ongoing and will clarify funding requirements in respect of 2020 and 2021 and how that can be accommodated in light of moneys available to the Department and the council. It is important to note that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Legislation (23 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. We are all aware that the irresponsible and antisocial use of scramblers and quads can cause death or serious injury, as well as wider disturbance and nuisance. The incident to which both Deputies alluded is a good example of the dangers involved. Many of these vehicles are used by minors and are provided to them by family members and others,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Traffic Legislation (23 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies. As I stated, under the Road Traffic Acts, there are already comprehensive measures in place for the Garda to deal with vehicles, including scramblers, quads and similar vehicles, in public places. In addition, there are also forms of legislation which allow for dealing with them outside public places and anyone supplying them to a minor can be prosecuted. Alternatives...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (23 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to reiterate the points the Minister made in terms of the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on our transport sector and international networks. I have had several meetings with stakeholders in both the aviation and maritime sectors and I am acutely aware of the financial precipice on which they find themselves. I profoundly hope that the adoption of the broad EU approach to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government's approach to international travel to date has sought to protect public health and contain the disease while respecting that in certain circumstances travel will be essential. Under the plan for living with Covid-19, it is proposed that Ireland will broadly support the European Commission proposals on a co-ordinated approach to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yesterday, I met the CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority, Mr. Dalton Philips, to discuss the potential of testing at our airports. 11 o’clock The DAA is exploring options for Covid testing involving modelling against a possible new approach to international travel requirements in line with the European co-ordinated approach to help assess the possible business and public health...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: On testing, it is important that we align ourselves broadly with Europe. The European proposal is a Commission recommendation for Council consideration on 13 October for adoption as a Council recommendation. The proposal is being dealt with under the interior and home affairs branch of the Commission. Initial indications from the Irish permanent representation are that this will be a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As a result of Covid-19, the challenge facing the aviation industry is unprecedented, and Irish airports have been fully exposed to the dramatic downturn in activity. I absolutely appreciate the effects that this could have on the long-term economic viability of airports, particularly smaller aviation enterprises like Ireland West Airport Knock. The Government is committed to doing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am also aware of the importance of our regional airports and ensuring that we maintain that connectivity. I have visited Knock Airport and have had meetings with all the airports since my appointment. I am acutely aware of the pressures they and their staff are under and the great work and difficult decisions that many regional airports have had to make over recent weeks and months. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: There was funding for capital investment. A process will also open up for regional airports to access operational support under the Government's regional airports programme. Historically, Ireland West Airport Knock has been well supported by Government-backed programmes. Last year it received €9.4 million in Exchequer funding. This year, I intend to bring forward a regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to thank the Deputy for her question. I appreciate that the challenges facing Irish aviation are having a real impact on many of her constituents, given the employment in North Dublin, especially, provided by Dublin Airport and by all of the ancillary businesses serving the airport. Ireland’s long term economic wellbeing is closely linked to our global connectivity. Being...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Motor tax legislation provides for refunds in certain limited circumstances, including where a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed, permanently exported, stolen and not recovered, or where the owner of a vehicle has ceased to use the vehicle because of illness, injury or other physical disability, or due to absence from the State for business purposes, educational purposes or service...