Results 3,481-3,500 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: First-time learner permit holders must wait six months after the date of issue of their permit before they can sit their driving test. I will not be making any exceptions to this requirement. As part of the learning process, the 6 month rule for first time permit holders is designed to give the learner driver the opportunity to gain the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority in consultation with the Theory Test service provider, and one in which I have no role. However, as I understand, following the closure of the Driver Theory Test service under level 5 restrictions, all appointments during this six week period have been rescheduled to the next available...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Specific details on individual theory test centres are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under level 5, and I will not be looking for this decision to be reconsidered. People who get a theory test will then need to go and get a learner permit so they can commence driving as accompanied...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), is working to expand the current online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications to enable accessibility online rather than by calling to an office. The necessary legislative amendments to facilitate the online system have been made and the regulations come into effect...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Training for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) is classroom based and legislation governing this training states that the training must take place in a Road Safety Authority (RSA) approved CPC training centre. There are no plans at present to amend this legislation. In addition, The RSA have noted that it would be difficult to quality assure an online training session...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department has requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to so. I understand that the Authority is developing proposals in that regard. However, this planning is at a very early stage and is not expected to come on stream in the immediate future.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: All driving licences that expired between 1 March and 31 August 2020 were extended for 7 months. There is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Cork Airport and to also refer him to my detailed reply to his question on Cork Airport on 29 September last. As previously outlined the Government has already put in place a suite of measures to assist businesses in facing the challenges of Covid-19. Airports and airlines have been able to avail of some of those measures,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport I very much share the view that parking on the footpath is a selfish and dangerous practice that puts vulnerable road users such as wheelchair users and parents with buggies at particular risk. Under Section 4 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for promoting public awareness of road safety matters. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I appreciate that there are costs involved in the process of learning to drive and obtaining a driving licence, most specifically in respect of insurance, test charges, and lesson fees. I believe, however, that these costs are not particularly high when measured against the cost of running a car in the long term. Nor is the cost of taking the driving test itself unreasonable when held against...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under the Road Safety Authorty Act, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the conduct of driving tests. The Road Safety Authority developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice. I am advised that the Authority is not considering the suspension of check tests under the protocols. It is worth...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The following table provides the data requested by the Deputy. The data provided for the Penalty Points Disqualification is based on the notice date of the disqualification as agreed with the Deputy. Year  Number of Drivers with Court Disqualification Number of Driving Licences Surrendered Number of Drivers with Penalty Points Disqualification ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Maritime Search and Rescue services are provided in accordance with the National Search and Rescue Plan (NSP)  as published by my Department in July 2019. The Coast Guard, a Division of my Department, is required to discharge Ireland’s SAR obligations by implementing the NSP for all incidents occurring in the maritime domain, or as otherwise requested by SAR authorities in other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: All applications for a driving licence must be made through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). The Department of Transport cannot schedule such appointments. All appointments must be booked in advance as it is not possible to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers. The RSA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: There is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation. All driving licences that expired between 1 March and 31 August 2020 were extended for 7 months. The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA),...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department is remaining in close contact with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as they are exploring how to further manage the current backlogs in the driver testing system. In this regard, the RSA has presented an initial outline plan to the Department outlining its proposals for carrying out its functions under the COVID Framework, including measures recommended to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis if a vehicle is being used in a public place. Motor tax accrues to the Exchequer as an excise duty and is not linked to the level of usage of a vehicle on the road. While there are limits on distances for non-essential travel, the current Covid restrictions on movement do not preclude the use of a vehicle in a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, under the Road Safety Authority Acts.  I have forwarded your correspondence to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. Please contact my office if a response has not been received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As you are aware, car driving tests were first temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 in March 2020 and since resuming operations in mid-July, there has inevitably been an increased level of demand due to the consequent backlog. Unfortunately, due to social distancing and other public health and hygiene requirements, service capacity has had to be considerably reduced. This means that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (17 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As regards some delays happening at UK ports such as Liverpool and Pembroke, this issue was raised by haulier representatives recently with my Department.  I understand that these delays relate to operational issues at GB ports and are therefore matters for the GB authorities. On the issue of maritime connectivity to Continental Europe, as signalled since the...