Results 621-640 of 7,961 for speaker:Imelda Munster

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (4 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: 499. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who have contacted the HSE client registration unit to have a GP in County Louth assigned to them over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16173/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: We will be generally supportive of the legislation when it comes before the House. Perhaps it will be subject to a number of amendments, should they be required. Having said that, I have some concerns and queries. First, does the €200 fine still apply in conjunction with the three-month ban?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: The appeals process is detailed under option 2. If found guilty in court while appealing the original finding, the person would face a six-month ban. That does not seem right. Is this option there to deter people from appealing or is it there for the benefit of the courts? What is the rationale behind it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: The Minister said this would require legislation. Is he saying that is the option he is offering? I thought these were options he was considering-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Yes, but if he or she chose to appeal and if were found guilty-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Yes, but if he or she is found guilty on appeal, the ban is extended to six months. The charge remains the same. It seems as if the person is penalised for appealing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Not particularly. For example, let us suppose a person was given a three-month ban and decided to appeal it on the belief that there were grounds for appeal.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Yes, but the person would have chosen to appeal it. Following appeal, the person would have been considered guilty but the ban would have been extended to six months.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: I am asking about the six-month ban in the context of appealing. Does that represent a deterrent to stop people appealing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Yes, I am referring to a person going to court.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Is that provision in place to stop or deter a person from going to court?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Is it there for the benefit of the courts? The Minister made reference in his speech to clogging up the courts and the numbers. Is that why the provision is in place?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: The Minister referred to it earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: It would lead one to think that was the rationale behind the measure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: Another issue relates to the Roas Safety Authority, RSA, survey in January. The Minister referred to it in his proposal. Can the committee members have a copy of that document? How many people were surveyed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: I have made my next point several times at committee meetings. It relates to the lack of resources. We were discussing the figures earlier. Does the Minister believe that because of the lack of resources, the consequential implementation of any legislation suffers? Does the Minister believe the figures could be higher were it not for the lack of resources? I realise the Minister referred...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: The Minister is bringing in this legislation in an attempt to tackle it. At the same time, he does not have the resources to implement it. Is the Minister at loggerheads with the Minister for Justice and Equality on this matter? I put this point to the Minister before. He can bring in all the legislation in the world, but it does not matter unless the relevant bodies have the appropriate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: The increase may be 10%. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Imelda Munster: With all due respect to the Minister, it is more or less crumbs from the table.