Results 28,021-28,040 of 32,961 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (28 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: One of the main causes of road crashes on Irish roads is excessive and inappropriate speed.  My Department, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders, is continuing to examine this area to identify measures that can be taken to bring about future reductions in fatalities and serious injuries. The main goal of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Management (28 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects. In addition, the principal functions of the Authority include the effective management of both traffic and transport demand in the GDA. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (28 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 10 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended by the Roads Act 2007 provides for the classification of national, regional and local roads. As part of the 2012 roads classification review, all national roads within the M50 were re-classified to regional road status to reflect their changed role in the overall road network. Among other things, part of the old National Route 4 between its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fáilte Ireland (28 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​Arrangements for the provision of Tourist Information are an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Topical Issue Debate: Taxi Regulations (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Ellis would be the very person to come into the House to criticise regulations if they did not play a role in reducing the illegal use of vehicles within the taxi industry. He made the assertion a moment ago that the taxi advisory committee is not playing a role in relaying information and consulting with the industry. I invite him to tell that to the unions who are represented on...

Topical Issue Debate: Taxi Regulations (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The regulation of the small public service vehicle sector is a matter for the National Transport Authority, NTA, pursuant to the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. This includes responsibility for signage. As such I have no function in this matter. I can however set out some background and some information in relation to the operation of the scheme which has been provided to me by the NTA. The...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Senator for his amendment. When he commented on the Bill on Second Stage he said that we needed to move from advocacy to analysis regarding major projects. I am keenly aware of this point. At a time of continued constraint on our ability to spend taxpayers' money on projects we need to ensure that all available funding is spent and allocated in the most efficient way possible....

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator has made an important point about the consequences for the taxpayer when infrastructure is built for which there is either insufficient demand or when the level of demand for it changes.In my time as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have become increasingly aware of the integrated nature of the consequences of building or changing infrastructure over other transport...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Roads Authority does not have a statutory role or function in regard to taxation policy or the taxation of vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles. Therefore, it would not be the appropriate body to conduct such research or to provide advice on the matter. It should be noted however that section 32(2) of the Roads Act 1993 states that the NRA may provide services to the...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In responding to Senator Barrett's point regarding the need to review tax policy, the point I was trying to make is that this is not work the NRA was statutorily set up to lead. That does not mean, however, that the work is not happening. In fact, it is happening, but it is not being led by the NRA. The two organisations with principal responsibility for inputting into the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (23 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: While my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these.  The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (23 Apr 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 (including signage), is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Data (22 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The Research Department of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is in the process of completing the validation of information relating to all fatal, serious and minor injury collisions which occurred in 2013, in line with their statutory obligations. The RSA plans to publish the Road Collision Factbook for 2013 and also to update the map of collision data (Collstats) by the end...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (22 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is currently reviewing the system under which motor tax for commercial vehicles is calculated and the rates of motor tax are paid by HGV operators.  This review grew out of the work of the Inter-Departmental Group on HGV user charges, which was established in January 2014 to consider the introduction o​f a 'pay-as-you-go' road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (22 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the GDA. The Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study currently underway is an independent study commissioned by the NTA to identify the optimum long term public transport solution to meet the needs of the Swords/Airport/City Centre corridor. Phase one of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects (22 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please advise my private office...

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (21 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: That is our track record. I have been to Cork and met people. Given the support we have had in bringing in new routes, I am hopeful and confident that this will continue in the future.

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (21 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am struck by Deputy Martin's description of his own local airport as being downgraded. That is an extraordinary statement to make about our second airport, which last year alone carried more than 2 million passengers into and out of our country.

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (21 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: That is the language Deputy Martin used to describe the airport. In his reaction, what he fails to acknowledge in any way is the engagement I have had to support this airport. I have met with both the DAA and local management within Cork Airport on many different occasions. If I looked at the different matters the Deputy has raised, I would point to the fact that Tourism Ireland, as I said...

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (21 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: -----I find no evidence whatsoever to back up the Deputy's claim that this airport is being in any way downgraded. What I would encourage him to do-----