Results 27,181-27,200 of 32,961 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Dessie Ellis said I should write the figure off. How am I to do that? It is a loss of €150 million that is sitting on the balance sheet of an independent State company. Earlier this morning I saw that the Deputy’s party was calling for the complete abolition of the property tax, yet at the same time he is asking me to write off losses of €150 million and to find...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I do have a responsibility, namely, to do what I can to put the right investment into Irish Rail and where appropriate to look to invest in it. I did not see Deputy Ellis’s press release or statement acknowledging the fact that this year alone we put an additional €38 million into Irish Rail although he has asked that I would unilaterally write off the losses of a company that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: This question appears to have been based on media commentary and conjecture in recent weeks which, I hope is apparent from yesterday, was not fully the case. As announced yesterday, the Government has agreed that the DART underground project should be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution. It is certainly not being cancelled. Indeed, the overall DART...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: If I may go back to one of the earlier questions the Deputy posed to me on the conjecture on the option for the northside of Dublin city that I did not fully answer, I have not given an indication to anybody regarding what that plan will be because I have not brought it to Cabinet. I will only make an announcement regarding what the plan will be when I have secured Cabinet approval. While I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Property (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Property disposals are a matter for CIE who are required to dispose of property in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of  State Bodies. As part of her annual report to me under the  Code of Practice,  the CIE Chair reports to me on the carrying out of all appropriate procedures for asset disposals by CIE.  The last...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The Harbours Acts require port companies to seek my consent for certain activities including the establishment of any subsidiary company, investment in undertakings (other than a subsidiary) greater than €1.27m, and borrowings. In addition, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires Ministerial consent for any "action which would extend or change...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Regulation (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I have been advised by the National Transport Authority (NTA) that Uber is licensed as a taxi dispatch operator, which is essentially a booking service. I understand that Uber has given an assurance to the NTA that it will use only licensed vehicles and licensed drivers and the NTA will monitor this position. On this basis the NTA are satisfied that the Uber model in Ireland is compliant with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Hotel Accommodation (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The improved viability of the hotel sector is very welcome not least because it is a large employer and significant contributor to the economy.  Giving the tourist a good value for money product has been key to the turnaround in tourism performance.  Having survived difficult times, accommodation providers are entitled to a fair return on investment...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​​As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Military Aircraft Landings (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​About 90% of the exemptions granted under the 1973 Order in 2014 were granted to US commercial airlines for flights carrying the unloaded personal weapons of the US troops on board. From time to time exemptions are also granted to European airlines for flights carrying the personal weapons of European troops on board. When applying for such exemptions the airlines...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In accordance with Section 32(1) of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998 (as amended), my Department conveyed my approval, with consent from the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, to daa for the establishment of a new defined contribution scheme. My Department receives periodic briefings from daa and these sometimes include matters in relation to pensions. My...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Bus Éireann is in the process of upgrading its fleet with more modern and higher capacity vehicles, across the route network. Some of the new double deck coaches are slightly longer than older fleet, and provide additional capacity and legroom for passengers, over existing coaches. These new High Capacity LD 300 Double Deck Coaches coaches are part of an overall €25m...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand that the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are actively examining a proposal to increase the DART frequency to 10 minutes in the peak commencing early in 2016 to improve the service to customers and that the necessary funding issues involved are being considered at present. I  would point out that I have secured additional funding for rail...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Aviation Policy (NAP) sets out a range of actions aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting the growth and development of the aviation sector in Ireland. The policy recognises the geographic and infrastructure characteristics that differentiate the respective roles of the three State airports, and the differing challenges and opportunities that exist for them. Specifically...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (23 Sep 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Transport Authority (NTA) is finalising its preparation of a draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) to cover the period 2015 to 2035 in line with its statutory remit. The draft Strategy will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA for the next two decades and it is understood the draft...