Results 5,181-5,200 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 519 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Justice Plan 2021 and the Programme for Government commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing. My Department has been actively engaged with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce looking at innovative approaches to support and develop a vibrant, diverse night-time culture and economy in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no vacancy for the position of Chaplain in either Limerick or Portlaoise Prison. Permanent Chaplains are assigned to both locations. I am advised however, that the Chaplain appointed to Portlaoise Prison is currently on a long-term absence from duty and Chaplaincy Services for Portlaoise Prison are currently being provided by the Midlands Prison...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Official Apology (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey for raising this important issue. I acknowledge what a tragedy the Whiddy Island disaster was and express my deepest sympathies to those who died and the families they left behind. A tribunal of inquiry was established in April 1979, with the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Declan Costello, being appointed to lead the inquiry. A number of public hearings with oral...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Official Apology (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey. In regard to meeting the Whiddy Island families, I would of course be happy to meet them, as would the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, if any request was made to my office to do so. I again want to say that any request from the families will of course be considered by all Departments involved, taking account of the report of the tribunal of inquiry and any subsequent...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I would like to clarify that the provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies again for raising the issue. Bearing in mind the concerns the Deputies have raised, there are several important points I would like to finish on to put the circumstances into context. The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for management in each of the fire services, based on their assessment of local...

The National Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 and Supporting Community Safety: Statements (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Minister of State, the Ceann Comhairle and Deputies. Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their community. At its heart, community safety is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish. Ireland is generally regarded as a safe country in international terms, with relatively low...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Testing (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements. I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In line with the Programme for Government, my Department is committed to providing access to the driving licence system for asylum seekers. As Irish driving licence legislation is based on a framework of EU law, consideration must be given to the relevant EU Directives. While the legislative requirements are being examined, work is continuing on the administrative and technical solutions...

Recovery of Tourism and Aviation: Statements (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am glad to have this opportunity to update the House on the recovery of aviation, which is a key supporting element in the recovery of tourism that the Minister has just outlined. The Government is very much alive to the challenges faced by both sectors and has proven its commitment to their recovery through the various strategic and financial supports provided to date. I am pleased to...

Recovery of Tourism and Aviation: Statements (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I join the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, in thanking all Deputies for their contributions to this debate. The aviation and tourism sectors are among those most impacted by the Covid crisis. Civil aviation is emerging from by far the most sustained and challenging crisis it has ever faced, with many analysts predicting that it will take several years to return to 2019 levels of activity....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and securing Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Tll, under the Roads Acts, 1993 to 2015, and in line with the NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. If planning approval is received from An Bord Pleanála and there are no legal challenges, the proposed project will then require Government approval under the public spending code to proceed to the next stage. That will include procurement of a contractor. Given that the project will cost more than €100 million, it will also be subject to final Government...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This project is a key component of Galway transport strategy, which realises Galway city and county councils' vision of all elements of the transport system working together to achieve an integrated, sustainable transport system. The Galway city ring road would free up free up road space in the city by removing through traffic. That road space could be used for improved public transport...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have stepped out of a Cabinet meeting but I am quite happy to be here because this is an important project for the region. If this project is approved by An Bord Pleanála and if there are no legal challenges, the next step is to seek Government approval, as required under the public spending code. We will then proceed to the next stage, procurement of a contractor. Given that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In terms of specific vehicle-related taxes, I have policy responsibility for motor tax, however VRT (including the NOx charge), fuel taxes (including the carbon tax element and VAT) and benefit-in-kind for company cars are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In terms of environmental policy, the Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment to an average of a 7%...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test Service, including the allocation of resources and test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The content of driving tests are set at European Union level and are set out in Directive 2006/126/EC. There are differences in the driving tests for trucks and buses and any changes to allow bus drivers to drive trucks, even on a temporary basis, would have to be made at European Union level. It is not my intention to make changes to the driving licensing regulations to allow bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test Service, including the allocation of resources and test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and as Minister I have no role in these matters. 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.