Results 28,341-28,360 of 32,961 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Senators for their contributions. I will respond to the points in the order in which they were raised. A common theme in the contributions was delays in obtaining appointments at NCT centres to have appropriate checks carried out. Some Senators alleged these delays are ongoing. The NCT service has the capacity to carry out 150,000 more tests than it was able to carry out last...

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: That was the point Senator Landy touched on. Those changes are being made to emphasise to people that it is fundamentally their responsibility to make sure their cars are roadworthy. They need to take responsibility for that and to contact the NCT centres at the right time to ensure their vehicle can be checked. That being said, the most recent figures we have show very clearly that, on...

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I believe it is, but if I am corrected and have misquoted the Senator in any way I am sure he will correct me at a point in the future. One cannot say that we want to get more companies into the country and at the same time say that when a company wins a contract and operates in what we believe to be an efficient and fair manner, it might operate in such a way that would constitute a breach...

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator raised a point with me and I did not respond. I have responded to a number of his colleagues on this issue. I am closely monitoring what is happening and I am very much aware of people's concerns regarding the six different options available. There was an exchange on that. One in particular has an effect on the Galway racecourse, which is a very valuable amenity to the city,...

Seanad: National Car Testing System: Statements (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I apologise for missing that point. I take a different view from that of the Senator. I understand why he would say it is something that should be considered. However, the reason I am not supportive of such a change is that a really important objective behind this testing procedure is to encourage people to do all they can to have their cars safe all the time. My concern is that if we...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Coverage (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Motor insurers are private concerns subject to the regulation of the Central Bank. I have no role in the regulation of motor insurers and no powers to ensure that they offer a quotation to their customers. It is advisable for people seeking motor insurance to shop around as the costs can vary dramatically.  Some insurers and brokers specialise in certain vehicles, for example...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects Status (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Given the constraints on the public finances, a number of projects, including the extension of the Luas to Lucan, were deferred under the Government's 5-year capital programme, Infrastructure & Capital  Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework, published in November 2011. The priorities under the current capital plan are to protect investment made to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department is committed to a sustainable transport agenda and has devoted significant funds to developing and improving public transport and to supporting cycling and walking initiatives especially in urban areas.   In addition to maintaining and developing the bus and rail network (including DART and LUAS) funding has been provided for many projects which are helping to make...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Kishogue train station. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Community Involvement Scheme (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It has been decided that there will be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme will revert back to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As part of its stimulus package in 2014 the Government announced funding of €2 million for the implementation of the Lough Derg plan, ‘A Roadmap for Experience Development and Destination Marketing 2014-2017’. An amount of €0.5m was provided in the vote of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport in 2014 and the balance of €1.5m was provided in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Tourism Ireland Limited is the agency with responsibility for promoting the island of Ireland as a holiday destination overseas, while Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. Decisions on the level of funding being used in 2015 for promotion of angling are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together. I received no specific notifications of Bus Éireann route closures as the actual requirement to notify such closures would form part of its licensing obligations to the National Transport Authority (NTA). My Department continues to liaise with the CIÉ subsidiaries, including Bus Éireann, in relation to public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Dublin Bus, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 to 607, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware National Ports Policy states that the shareholding in Drogheda Port Company will transfer to local authority control. My Department is currently finalising the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2015 which will provide the legislative basis to allow for that transfer to take place. Borrowings by a port...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Road Traffic Act 2004 established maximum default speed limits that apply to defined categories of roads. These limits may, however, be amended by the Elected Members of local authorities by means of Special Speed Limit Orders. Section 9 of the 2004 Act sets out the range of special speed limits, including a limit of 30km/h, available to local authorities for that purpose. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the road authorities concerned. Under section 17 of the Roads Act 1993...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadworthiness Testing (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 618 together. Under the Government's 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was tasked with conducting a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for inclusion in roadworthiness testing. The RSA has completed this review which included a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Funding (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (3 Mar 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of the strong public concern locally about the likely impact of the reduced services as a result of the proposed changes to Bus Éireann's Route 7 services and also JJ Kavanagh's Route 717 services.  At the community meeting in Castlecomer on Monday 22nd February, Bus Éireann agreed to postpone the changes to its licensed Route 7 services until the summer. The...