Results 5,301-5,320 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I appreciate this issue is of great concern, which is why it has been raised in the House. I am very aware of increased prices at petrol and diesel pumps over recent weeks. This is an international trend. Wholesale energy prices have increased significantly following rises in international oil and gas prices and a post-lockdown surge in energy demand. While the trajectory of the global...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I take the point the HGV sector is reliant on fossil fuels and I am acutely aware of that. As part of this transition, we are trying to ensure we put in place supports such as the diesel rebate scheme. I mentioned the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicle grant, which had a significant uptake from the sector, showing the interest. We are also co-funding three research projects with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will continue to engage, as I have done since I came into this role, with the sector to ensure we protect it. I will also work with my Government colleagues, given this is not just a transport issue. For example, the Minister for Finance sets policy in respect of tax and excise duties on fuel and the only increase this year was the planned carbon tax increase. I will engage with them in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister, Deputy Ryan, aims to publish the sustainable mobility policy framework before the end of this year. It will set out a strategic framework to 2030 for walking, cycling and public transport to support Ireland's overall requirement to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of the decade. The framework will primarily focus on measures to promote and facilitate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy is entirely correct that this will require an approach across a number of areas, such as the safe routes to school initiative. However, it is not just about children in primary and secondary school having safe access; it is about local accessibility in towns and villages. It is not just an urban programme but one that will also work for rural areas. It is about enabling schools...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy is right to mention Connecting Ireland. When we talk about public transport, there is the issue that people have a vision focusing on urban Ireland and our cities. Connecting Ireland is about delivering public transport in rural towns and villages throughout the country. That is key if we want to ensure people in rural Ireland have connectivity. However, we also need to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister of State in the Department of Transport, I have no role in regard to the installation of cameras. Road traffic legislation sets out the standards for the use of such cameras and their effect in terms of road traffic law. Under section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, electronic apparatus, including cameras, may be used to provide evidence in regard to offences under a number of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Following the completion of the pilot, a review of the overall system was undertaken, and in 2019, An Garda Síochána confirmed acceptance of the review recommendations and that the pilot installation could be confirmed as permanent. However, it was necessary to retender the technical and operational parts of the project, as the original installation was a pilot project only. Under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I hear the Deputy's concerns. There is no legislative barrier to this. The Department does the legislation and it is up to the agencies - the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, An Garda Síochána and the local authorities - to roll out these projects. I take her points on accessibility on public transport. We have increased Garda resources in this budget. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for his question and the opportunity to discuss the issue of increased capacity and the frequency on our rail lines, specifically the Dublin-Rosslare rail line. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, has responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport, however, neither he nor my Department have a role in the day-to-day provision, operation, or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Iarnród Éireann, supported by the NTA, is at an advanced stage in the tender process to order the largest and greenest fleet in Irish public transport history, for up to 750 electric and battery-electric powered carriages over a ten-year timescale. As well as increasing the Dublin area capacity, it will also see intercity carriages in use on commuter services allocated to intercity...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies. Minister Ryan is attending Cabinet this morning. That is why he cannot be in the Dáil to take questions. However, if there are any further questions Deputy Brady wants answered, I can certainly relay them to him. The Climate Action Plan will be published later today, so that is why he could not attend. In relation to-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The rail services are critical. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to invest in public transport, including in rail. Part of that is the national rail review. This is a both North and South rail review and it will be completed next year. All of the issues that the Deputy has raised about what the NTA is looking at will be considered and examined as part of that process....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A Department internal audit report in 2019 recommended improvements in Coast Guard procurement. Implementation of these recommendations was underway prior to the Comptroller and Auditor General raising the issue of procurement of vehicles in 2020. In particular, new internal controls in accordance with best practice procurement procedures have been put in place. Additional resources have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is important to say that improved procurement procedures have been implemented within the Coast Guard area. In 2019, my Department’s internal audit unit carried out a procurement gap analysis, which identifies a number of areas with significant scope for improvement. The following eight recommendations are contained in the March 2020 audit report: the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is critical that we have a robust and well-resourced search and rescue, SAR, capability in Ireland. We are all aware in our own communities of the excellent volunteers who do critical, Trojan work in coming to people’s rescue in their hour of need. It is critical. I am committed to ensuring that whatever resources and supports are needed are in place to ensure that we have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the management and improvement of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in conjunction with local authorities. A key priority...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. Ensuring that minimum standards are kept is a matter for local authorities. Local authorities, with TII, identify roads that need to be further maintained. The maintenance, protection and renewal budget was protected, which recognises the importance of road connectivity and safety for all road users. It is critical that we have new road infrastructure built as part of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank both Deputies. A list of projects is mentioned in the NDP. Projects currently under construction are the M50 traffic control management unit, the N5 from Westport to Turlough, the N56 from Dungloe to Glenties, the N22 from Baile Bhuirne to Macroom, the M8 Dunkettle interchange, and the N5 from Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge. There are other projects earmarked to begin construction...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cycling Facilities (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy knows, and this is probably the reason he is asking, in the programme for Government, we committed that €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling infrastructure per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will help to support the delivery of about 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by...