Results 28,341-28,360 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Anybody who is going on strike tomorrow will not find themselves required to change company due to the tendering process that is under way. It is an intervention that is unprecedented in the recent history of both companies. It was made by the Government because I recognised the concerns that workers have regarding a change. I am also very conscious that what will happen tomorrow will...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue which is of huge concern to commuters throughout the country and to workers in our public bus companies. On Tuesday, I issued a statement which dealt comprehensively with the industrial relations issues involved in the current dispute between SIPTU, NBRU and the bus companies. I confirmed that no current employees of the two companies would have...

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Amendments Nos. 1 and 5 in group one are technical drafting amendments. Amendment No. 1 updates the collective citation in section 1 of the Bill while amendment No. 5, is the result of improvements made by the Parliamentary Counsel to the wording of section 30 concerning fixed payment notices.

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Amendment No. 2 inserts a standard expenses section in the Bill as a new section 6. This new section provides, subject to sanction by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, for the expenses of the National Transport Authority in carrying out the functions conferred on it by the Bill. It is not anticipated that any new funding will be required by my Department in connection with the...

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In the Second Stage debate on this Bill in the Dáil, a number of Deputies raised the issue of trying to get answers from clamping companies when someone has a query or complaint. I agreed with that point. People often find that their complaints or queries can go unanswered for a long time or even indefinitely and I introduced this amendment to section 17 to cater for those situations....

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Did Senator Leyden get the vote?

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank all Senators for the way they have contributed to the debate on this Bill and I thank all my officials and those in my Department who have worked on it. They have put a lot of work into looking at how this Bill could be put together and at the right way to regulate something which up to this point had been an area that, by and large, did not have the regulation it needed. With all...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Before I speak briefly on the substance of the Bill, I agree with the points made by Senator Leyden and I thank him for making them. It is an issue I have already commented on publicly today and I made an intervention on Tuesday on this matter. I am very proud to have both of these great and very important companies under my stewardship. I understand their employees have legitimate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Under EU law, Ireland has automatic relations of exchange of driving licences with other EU Member States.  In the case of non-EU States we may reach bilateral arrangements on exchange. Reaching bilateral agreements is not a straight-forward process.  It involves detailed comparison of the two licensing regimes by the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions, so that both can be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), which is a division of my Department, does not have any formal relationship with diving teams or diving schools. With regard to sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups, primary responsibility for missing person searches in inland waters is vested in An Garda Síochána. The IRCG has responsibility for co-ordination of maritime search...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The UK HGV road user levy introduced on 1 April 2014 applies to all HGVs, both UK and foreign, using UK roads.  Under EU legislation it is not permissible to discriminate against non-national operators by charging them differently from national operators for use of the roads infrastructure.  This Government lobbied against the application of the charge to Northern Ireland, but the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: ​The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to the skills tests for applicants for a taxi licence, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have no role in overseeing the application of the skills tests by the NTA. I have referred your question to the NTA for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (30 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (30 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 964 of 24 March, the Exchequer provides funding supports to four regional airports, Donegal, IWA Knock, Kerry and Waterford under the Regional Airports Programme. Reflecting the recommendations of the IWA Knock Study Group and the draft National Aviation Policy in respect of future funding supports for the regional...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is important to reflect on the journey which has been made to date. We should do that because it will give us confidence in our ability to complete the journey and to realise the many dreams and hopes of the people of this country. It will also give us the confidence to deal with the fears that many people still have as a result of what happened in our economy. They also fear the...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Okay.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a real pity that the Deputy has to use language such as "cabal" and "leeching" when talking about a group of people who are working within governance structures to secure a future for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. I have already outlined to the Deputy the model under which a port like Dún Laoghaire will be integrated into the local authority. I will take the decision on the manner...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy's language of describing a group of people as a cabal is unacceptable.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am struck that whenever I make a genuine attempt to respond to matters that I accept are of interest, the colour of the Deputy's language intensifies and the pitch of his voice gets higher.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (29 Apr 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: These are important matters that need to be dealt with. As I have said in the House already, it is very important that an acceptable and secure plan is developed for the future of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. There is a group of people at the harbour who are working very hard to deliver that. I have outlined how I will deal with its integration in the future. As I have said, regardless of...