Results 2,241-2,260 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test including all application and scheduling matters.  The question in relation to this case is being referred 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: Official Travel (18 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I can confirm that the itinerary of Minister of State Naughton did not include meetings with officials of the airlines referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (18 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from the Authority in 10 working days, I would ask that he contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy may be aware, due to the suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with associated health protocols when the service resumed and further curtailing of services during subsequent restrictions, a significant backlog developed. Following the easing of public health restrictions, considerable progress was made in addressing this backlog, with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (18 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: In response to the Deputy's question, I can advise of the following Exchequer supports provided by my Department to Irish airports during the period 2015-2021 and to date in 2022: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total Shannon - - - - - ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (13 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware of reports of so-called "ghost" flights being flown by airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily to retain use of slots at congested European airports. Slots at congested European airports are governed by European regulations. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU adopted alleviation measures to address the impact that travel and public health related...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Registration Tax (13 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: At present, quad bikes must either be taxed at the private rate or the general haulage tractor rate of motor tax. There are no plans to change this position. The basis of assessment for a private quad vehicle is that it must be in use for private, domestic or pleasure purposes and the tax is, accordingly, gauged on engine capacity. If, on the other hand, the vehicle is being used to haul...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Registration Tax (13 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: There are no plans currently to amend motor tax legislation in relation to the goods rate of motor tax. Motor tax is based on both the construction and use of a vehicle. Where someone applies for their vehicle to be taxed at the goods rate, the vehicle must be constructed or adapted as a goods vehicle and used solely for the carrying of goods in the course of trade or business. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (13 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: While the distribution of high viz vests and similar road safety items is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), I understand that in relation to the specific issue raised in the Deputy's question, the RSA has been quite active in this area. I understand that the RSA, has upon request provided high viz material to a number of the venues where Ukrainian people have been staying....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (13 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: In relation to the requirement to have a Public Service Vehicle Licence in place for an application for a Road Passenger Transport Operator Licence, I have asked my officials in the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of the Department to liaise directly with the applicant in this case to clarify and progress the issue. Regarding the insurance requirements for the Public Service...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Senators are aware that there has been an extensive dialogue with Senators, the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, and the Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA, on this issue of a forum and licenceholders charter. Have taken the Senators' considered views on board, I am proposing Government amendment No. a4a. The aviation ecosystem is complex and consists of people who ensure the delivery of...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senators for their contributions. In my view, the substantive issue in Senator Doherty's amendment is the distinction between an "aviation stakeholders forum" and a "licence holders forum". Under the EASA regulatory safety system, which is the EU Regulation 2018/1139 and associated implementing rules, there are a number of identifiable stakeholders. There are licence holders,...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The aviation ecosystem is complex and it consists of a wide range of people to ensure the delivery of a multitude of services to make the aviation system function safely. That is the objective of this forum. It is about aviation safety and those who will be at the table will be able to feed into that and are experts in the area. The purpose of this forum will be to highlight the exact...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: To reiterate, the focus of the forum is aviation safety. The groups I mentioned will have an important role to play in that. In regard to the IAA, it is important to say there is a huge amount of expertise within that body. It has more than 120 safety experts on its staff, including 25 highly experienced pilots with more than 100 years of combined experienced and 25 highly experienced...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is the purpose of this forum and what it will do.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have answered the Senator's question. The focus of this group will be on aviation safety.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: To clarify, this Bill is not about regulating the IAA. It is about institutional and structural change, as I have said on previous occasions in this debate. I have answered the question as best I can.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: To clarify, the general scheme of the Bill was developed by officials in my Department. There was extensive engagement with the two State bodies concerned, namely, the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, and the Irish Aviation Authority, in respect of which section 14 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 states that, among others, one of the principal objects of the company is "to...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: As I said, the IAA advised on the amendments. It has the statutory responsibility as outlined in the 1993 Act. The scope of the FOI request included asking what independent experts were consulted. Again, that was expert advice that was received on search and rescue.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: To clarify, the FOI request related to the expert outside advice regarding search and rescue. As I said, the IAA is consulted about the Bill as set out under the 1993 Act.