Results 3,801-3,820 of 32,569 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (3 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight and delivery of the National Car Test and as such, statistics relating to waiting times in particular test centres are a matter for the Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the RSA for direct reply.  Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Services (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Iarnród Éireann has incurred accumulated losses of over €148 million in the past six years.  This trend is unsustainable and being addressed on a number of fronts. Payroll comprises 60% of the cost-base and savings had to be found.  I acknowledge the changes that have been accepted by workers on foot of the Labour Relations Commission's proposals of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Services (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: It is important to put in context the figures about which we are talking in order that the Deputy and the House generally are aware of the choices we have to make. For example, in 2013, CIE received €408 million in current and capital funding from the Exchequer. Of this figure, €226 million was for the provision of PSO transport services. Therefore, the CIE Group, Irish Rail...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Services (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: We are dealing with a company which, for the first time in many years, is seeing an increase in the number of passengers using its services. This is in line with what we are seeing not just on rail but also bus and Luas services. Public transport is benefiting from, and contributing to, economic recovery. The economic environment within which these decisions must be made is changing....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Resolution of the IASS funding difficulties is primarily a matter for the trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority. The trustee sought approval from the Pensions Authority for a funding proposal and requested me to commence legislative provisions to facilitate implementation, if approved. The trustee believes this is in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I have met individual members who have been affected by this. It is my intention to meet a representative number of the deferred members today to discuss the matter. I am very much aware of the personal difficulty that many of them face. Alongside that, the pension fund now has a deficit of over €750 million. The funding made available to deal with the issue is €270...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: This is a private pension fund. I am very much aware of the consequences that people are facing as a result of this. However, if I had not signed the commencement order, the Deputy would now be asking me why I had not done so. A pension fund with 15,000 members and a deficit of €750 million would have been facing unknown consequences. There would have been consequences for people...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: My primary concern regarding maritime transport is safety. I must ensure the appropriate safety standards are in place, regardless of the particular sector involved. Ireland applies the internationally recognised standards to work on vessels servicing the offshore renewable energy sector - the standards of the International Maritime Organisation’s International Convention on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy asked about the provision of new courses. I will set up a meeting involving him and representatives in this area working in my Department to investigate what such courses could be. In response to the Deputy's question, I checked the status of all the courses and certificates that are available. My Department has informed me that they all meet the requirements of the STCW...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: One point that may be of assistance to Deputy Pringle is that an area I considered in response to his question was that of certificates of training that some other countries might deliver to their fishermen that do not meet the IMO template. I understand that in the United Kingdom there are some certificates and types of training that do not conform to that template in the way our own...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government recognises the importance of the haulage sector to the Irish economy and has introduced a number of initiatives to support Irish hauliers. It has introduced legislation to clamp down on unlicensed hauliers, a new online system for haulage licensing has been introduced and the Government has cut costs for hauliers through the fuel duty rebate scheme, which is worth more than...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government and my party have done more for the haulage sector than the Deputy's party has ever promised or delivered. The Deputy should consider what the Government has delivered for the sector. The fuel rebate for hauliers was introduced in recognition of their legitimate need. Fuel duty has been frozen for the past three years in each of the budgets the Government has brought in and...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: All that was missing from the Deputy's contribution was an attempt on his part to try to take credit for the measures the Government has brought in. Despite the huge mess in the midst of which the present Administration took over-----

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: -----three measures have been brought in to recognise the needs of the haulage sector, including the fuel rebate scheme that has the potential to deliver more than €30 million to this sector. As its representatives have raised different issues, at each point my Department has engaged with them. We have now made available to them a report to deal with how we put in place a sustainable...

Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The direct award contract for the provision of public service obligation, PSO, bus market services held by Bus Éireann expired at the end of November. The awarding of a subsequent contract is the statutory responsibility of the National Transport Authority, NTA. All Bus Éireann routes have been included in the new five year direct award contracts between the company and...

Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: An important point is that Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus will be able to participate in the tendering process. On the basis of the tenders received, the NTA will then make a determination on who can best meet the needs identified. It is also important to note, as the Deputy is aware, that we already have a very large private sector presence in the bus market, for example, in providing...

Other Questions: Maritime Safety Regulations (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The regulations which govern maritime safety issues are complex and varied and depend on many issues such as the type of the vessel used, its size, proposed operating area and other factors. I am unclear on the particular thrust of the Deputy’s question - I am sure he will clarify the matter in his supplementary question - but I can confirm that Ireland applies the internationally...

Other Questions: Maritime Safety Regulations (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I suggest the next step to take is similar to what I proposed in response to the Deputy's priority question. The Deputy evidently has groups or constituents with considerable expertise in the area who believe there is an opportunity in this regard. If they have ideas on how the country could best take advantage of the opportunity, I am very open to their input. The Deputy has outlined that...

Other Questions: Public Transport (4 Dec 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Notwithstanding the fact that the NTA is responsible for determining fares in respect of publicly funded bus and rail services and the fact that I have no role in the setting of public transport fares, I am aware that the changes in bus and rail fares recently announced will cause hardship for many commuters in this city and across the country. I am also aware that they may lead to some...