Results 4,321-4,340 of 32,569 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding regarding the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, such as the Naas Bypass widening, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In Ireland, the most recent CSO figures show that employment in the key accommodation and food services sector has increased by over 18,000 between the third quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2014.  Overall employment in the tourism sector is estimated to be in the region of 200,000 jobs. A new Tourism Policy Statement entitled “People, Place and Policy – Growing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As reflected in the Draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland, currently being finalised in my Department, the importance of regional airports currently lies with the level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for tourism and business. That connectivity is seen as being a significant contributory factor underpinning Ireland's economic recovery and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to the tourism agencies for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand that the Deputy is referring to development plans to increase passenger numbers at the four regional airports of Donegal, Kerry, IWA Knock and Waterford.  Any plans to increase services or to introduce new routes are entirely commercial in nature and are a matter for the board and management of the individual airports.  I believe that there are opportunities,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Local authorities  are responsible for mapping and collating available collision data on regional and local roads. Where analysis shows that engineering measures may assist in reducing the collision risk at a particular location then any local authority which is not fully self funding in terms of roads (under the new Local Property Tax regime) may apply to my Department for funding...

Topical Issue Debate: Ferry Services (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter after Stena Line announced a consolidation of its services from Holyhead to Dublin Port. I am more than aware that the news will come as a major disappointment to everyone in Dún Laoghaire Harbour and the wider Dún Laoghaire community. I recognise the Deputy's comments and share her disappointment. I worked in Stena Line in Dún...

Topical Issue Debate: Ferry Services (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I recognise the changes Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has made and acknowledge many of the difficulties the company has faced. It has not been easy work. The company has put considerable effort into dealing with its financial status. In view of this, while it was known that there was this possibility, for it to actually materialise is a great disappointment for everyone involved in...

Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Issues (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank my constituency colleague, Deputy Costello, and Deputy McGrath for raising this important matter. I have responded to many questions on this, here on the floor of the Dáil, in the Seanad and in the transport committee, and I look forward to continuing to do so while this matter is under consideration. I will first respond to the core question Deputy Costello put to me regarding...

Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Issues (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: On our choice of adviser, we are being advised on this issue by private sector companies, the names of which are on the public record. The interdepartmental group includes representatives of the various Departments affected by this issue, including the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and is chaired by an official from my Department. I am confident that we have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Code of Practice (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand that, in its follow-up response to a previous question from the Deputy in relation to the disposal of a property in West Cork, Fáilte Ireland mistakenly quoted from an earlier Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.   However, having made further enquiries on this matter, I am assured that Fáilte Ireland did in fact comply with the requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (4 Feb 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 overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS).   As the Deputy may be aware, the NCT can be undertaken up to 90 days in advance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Further to my answer to the Deputy of 4 November 2014, the position in relation to the Bremore project remains the same. Drogheda Port Company’s 2013 accounts are publicly available and provide a figure for capitalised expenditure on investment in the Bremore project. The port have confirmed that in 2013 expenditure of approximately €9,000 was incurred in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a statutory objective of each port company, inter alia,  to take all proper measures for the development of its harbour, to promote investment in its harbour and to engage in any business activity either alone or with others, to develop its harbour. The Bremore proposal emerged from Drogheda Port Company's consideration of its statutory remit. There is no issue per sewith the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The offence that Deputy Dowds mentions has recently become a Fixed Charge Notice and penalty point offence. It is an offence under Article 9 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking ) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 332 of 2012), for the driver of a vehicle, the weight of which exceeds the weight displayed on traffic sign RUS 053, to proceed beyond the sign....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (4 Feb 2015)

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. Given the national financial...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the recent Fare Review, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: No formal application has been received from the group in question. However officials from my Department are meeting with proponents of the scheme today. All funding under both the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 and the Government Stimulus Package for the development of greenways is now fully committed. However, it is possible, given the popularity and success of...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Thank you, Chairman and members. I will make some brief opening comments on the 2015 Estimates. As members are aware, the tourism and transport sectors have proven track records in creating employment and driving growth in the economy. Sport also has a vital economic role to play along with the obvious societal benefits. My Department’s investment programme is underpinning the...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I will deal with the points raised by the Deputies. I refer to Deputy Dooley's point that a reduction in maintenance of the road infrastructure would result in an increase in the future cost of maintenance. This analysis could also apply to the rail network and his point could be applied to any fixed network with high capital costs. That is the reason that, over time, we will need to...