Results 2,581-2,600 of 9,362 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy alluded to the multiport approach well. Every port has its role to play, for example, Shannon Foynes in terms of larger infrastructure development and Galway and smaller ports in terms of operations and maintenance. I am encouraged by the engagement between our ports and industry on working towards potential funding opportunities at EU level, for example, from the EIB and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the contents of the national port study which was commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland. It provides a useful profile of port infrastructure and the proposed development plans of the port companies for both fixed and floating installations. Ireland has ambitious plans with regard to the development of offshore renewable energy in the seas around Ireland. This report aligns with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I completely agree with the Deputy about the urgency around this. I know that all ports across the country, many of which the Minister and I have visited, are working on their own plans to tap into the opportunities in operation and maintenance in the west, for example, in Galway. With regard to Shannon Foynes, the Minister attended the launch of the port's Vision 2041 strategic review. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. The primary aim of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50%. As stated at the launch of the strategy in December 2021, this means reducing deaths on Ireland’s roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030. This will be the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I agree that enforcement is key. The chairmanship of the high-level ministerial group is shared by me and the Minister for Justice. I am equally concerned with the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads. I acted quickly during the summer as a result of the increase in serious injuries and deaths on our roads to bring forward regulations. We are also working on legislative...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy asked about an online portal and drug testing. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety is also represented on that high-level ministerial group. Those areas were considered in the road safety strategy and we are making progress in that regard. I am in regular contact with the Irish Road Hauliers Association, IRHA, and the Freight Transit Association of Ireland, FTAI. Those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: A lot of work is happening within the Department and there has been ongoing engagement with the EU, the ISIF and the EIB to lay the ground for our ports and the potential investment there. The policy statement recognised that existing ports in Ireland, or entities within ports with development plans, such as Rosslare Europort and the Port of Cork, can play a significant role in providing the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I assure the Deputy that huge work is happening in this space. From engagements with ports and industry it is known that ports and private entities are engaging in their own commercial discussions with ORE project developers to underpin the business case for port infrastructure developments, progression of the projects and timelines. It remains subject to the results of the auctions. On...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The port capacity study is currently under way and is due for completion shortly. Upon its finalisation a full review of national ports policy will commence later this year which will look at the overall ports policy framework. The first stage in this review will be the drafting of an issues paper and it is anticipated that this will go to public consultation in early 2023. Pending this...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. The statutory responsibility for roadworthiness testing lies with the Road Safety Authority, RSA. However, I am very much aware of vehicle owners' concerns over delays this year in securing test appointments. I have emphasised to the RSA the importance of reducing the test backlog and my officials are meeting weekly with the RSA to monitor progress in reducing delays....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: All of those approaches will be used by the contractor to reduce the waiting times. This will include overtime and recruitment in Ireland and abroad. As I outlined earlier, we are working with the Minister of State, Deputy English, to allow the recruitment of up to 100 non-EU testers. Some 44 additional testers are expected before the end of this year. To directly answer the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: With regard to the qualifications, I can confirm that the temporary vehicle inspectors from Spain are qualified to QQI level 5. That is the standard in many EU member states. As the Deputy alluded to, however, until 2020, QQI level 5 certification was considered the appropriate minimum requirement for vehicle inspectors in the State. This was changed in accordance with apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 19 together. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the delivery of the National Car Test Service (NCTS) and neither I nor my department have a direct role in operational matters. However, I am closely monitoring the RSA's progress in reducing waiting times at test centres and will continue to support the RSA with any appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government recognises the important role the haulage sector plays in supporting the economy and is fully aware of cost pressures on haulage businesses arising from high fuel prices. Since March 2022, the Government has put in place several measures to help ease these cost pressures including a VAT inclusive excise duty reduction of 15 cent per litre of diesel and 20 cent per litre on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS), including the resourcing of staff, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). 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. I would note that the RSA has assured my department that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: As recently advised to the Deputy, my Department is considering a request from Shannon Airport in relation to the establishment of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to provide EU Hub connectivity from Shannon Airport. As the Deputy has been informed, while the establishment of air services is a commercial matter between airports, airlines and other market actors, the Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: As stated in my response to Parliamentary Question 34 on 22 September 2022, the legislation required is in place. Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the use of camera apparatus to capture 'the constituent of an offence' in the case of a number of offences under the Road Traffic Acts. Failure to obey a red light is a contravention of Article 30 of the Road Traffic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The National SAR Plan, published in 2019, sets out the objectives, priorities for search and rescue services and these are reviewed and adjusted periodically in order to improve effectiveness, economy and safety for all those involved. The National SAR Committee reviews the National SAR Plan and reports to the Minister for Transport on how the SAR Plan can be enhanced in line with emerging...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. As the Deputy is aware, the Shannon Airport Group informed the Department in Summer 2020 that it was necessary to consider a comprehensive and radical adjustment to its structure to secure the long-term future of the Shannon Heritage business and its employees. Government noted, inter alia, the intention of the Group to explore the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the COVID pandemic, and the necessary ensuing precautions, a significant backlog of driver testing services developed. Since public health restrictions have eased, considerable progress has been made, and waiting times have reduced significantly. Pre Covid, the target national average wait for a test was 10 weeks. On the eve of the pandemic, however, the actual waiting time was...