Results 3,601-3,620 of 33,175 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 to 1127, inclusive, and 1137 and 1139 together. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory body with responsibility for overseeing the delivery of public transport services and also the regulation of fares charged in respect of public transport services provided under public service contracts. In contrast to a trend of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (4 Nov 2014)

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: Ports Policy (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Drogheda Port Company is one of nine State commercial port companies established and operating pursuant to the Harbours Acts 1996–2009. The Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport is the principal shareholder in the port company and his relationship with the company is governed by both the Harbours Acts and the Companies Acts.     As a limited liability company,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Action 107 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 states that, subject to legal advice, my Department should, with the support of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Justice and Equality, legislate for rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders, which should then be implemented.  The RSA is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1131 and 1138 together. Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme (IASS), is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all of these stakeholders. I can assure you that I do understand...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware Minister Varadkar discussed the issue of a single point of responsibility for funding and oversight of mountain rescue teams with my colleague Minister Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality.  In this approach it was outlined that the primary role and responsibility of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) a division within my Department, is in response to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Responsibility for the roll-out, extension, maintenance and commercial elements of the Dublin City Bikes Scheme is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), working closely with Dublin City Council.  Noting the above I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the NTA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Hotel Accommodation (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the previous Lord Mayor convened a group to look at future accommodation supply and demand in Dublin.  Although Fáilte Ireland provided technical support to this group, the report and its implementation are a matter for the Lord Mayor, given the role of Dublin City Council as a planning authority. As regards hotel capacity in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The collection and publication of official statistics is a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.  Although the CSO does not provide a county-level breakdown of overseas visits, its Household Travel Survey contains county-level data for domestic trips. I am aware that Fáilte Ireland publishes...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy should note that it has, for some time,  been an offence to use a vehicle on public roads without a valid NCT certificate. Currently, this is a 'straight-to-court' offence which attracts 5 penalty points on conviction. However, section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 2014, when commenced shortly, will bring this offence within the Fixed Charge Payment System and will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies (4 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Since 2011 there have been no new agencies created; however a number have been merged or abolished.Dundalk Port Company was merged with Dublin Port Company on 12 July 2011 , while Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners transferred to the control of Kerry County Council on 1 October 2011. In 2012 Dublin Tourism merged with its parent body Fáilte Ireland on 1 January, while both Baltimore...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (5 Nov 2014)

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 such as the Macroom Bypass is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Regulation (5 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is in the process of conducting a public consultation into the operation of classic and vintage cars. I expect to receive a report from the RSA when this process is completed. However, there will be no change to current and long-term legislation under the Road Traffic Acts and the European Union Motor Insurance Directives which requires...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (5 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: All vacancies for State Boards for which this Department has responsibility are available to be viewed on the Department's website at A number of individuals were considered before Ms. Liz O'Donnell was selected to fill the post of Chair of the Road Safety Authority, vacated by Mr. Gay Byrne.  Ms O'Donnell came to attention having expressed an interest in serving on a State...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (5 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department maintains a list of expressions of interest for positions on State Boards compiled from a public invitation to submit these. To date, over 470 expressions of interest have been received. New procedures for the appointments process were announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 30th September 2014. These procedures came into...

Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended by the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the National Transport Authority is responsible for determining fares on publicly funded bus and rail services. I have no role in the setting of public transport fares. It is the responsibility of the NTA to adjudicate on applications from...

Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: There is a broader picture in this regard, which Deputy Flanagan touched on. To consider the issue from the point of view of Irish Rail alone, it has accumulated losses on its balance sheet of over €200 million. That is the scale of difficulty that is being faced, which feeds directly into the point Deputy Flanagan put to me regarding the need for investment in the future. There is...

Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: There is signalling work that needs to be done, and some of that work will take place next year. However, if we get ourselves to a point at which revenue is going up because of an improving economy, and the Government is also able to increase investment, it is my expectation that the fare increases we have seen in the past will not continue in the future, in either their level or their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Funding (6 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, Section 54 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Applications (6 Nov 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.