Results 28,681-28,700 of 32,961 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: As the  Deputy will be aware, transport was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North/South cooperation and consequently is one in which the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in Sectoral format. The Council meets in this format in order to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of transport including areas...

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

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, I have answered many questions regarding the M7 Naas Bypass widening, the Oberstown Interchange and the Sallins bypass since I became Minister last year.  Most recently, I took a Topical Issue debate on 15th January 2015 where I set out the current position regarding funding for this scheme.  I am happy to once again re-state that position. ...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The introduction of the UK HGV levy was an unwelcome development for Irish hauliers, particularly for those operating in areas around the border with Northern Ireland. My Department lobbied extensively against the application of the UK HGV road user levy in Northern Ireland, but the UK Minister for Transport refused to grant any significant exemption beyond the small sections of NI roads that...

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

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No 127 which I answered earlier.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I have addressed the issue raised in the Deputy's question about connectivity to the UK and jobs in priority questions 123 and 124 I want to add that since the Government's Action Plan for Jobs was initiated in 2012 we have seen the creation of 80,000 new jobs. The plan for 2015 was launched last week, with an emphasis on regional enterprise strategies across the country. It contains a...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The Fingal/North Dublin study currently underway is an independent study commissioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to identify the optimum  long term public transport solution to the meet the needs  of the corridor. Phase One of the Study was published on 8th December and six short-listed project options were identified for further detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe:  Galway County Council received €2 million in funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the delivery of a 12.4 kilometre cycleway from Galway to Moycullen.  The project consists of developing a walking/cycling greenway along 11.4 kilometres of the dismantled Connemara railway line between Galway and Clifden with the remaining 1...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Services Provision (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: There are five recommendations of the CEDRA Report that come within the remit of my Department, Recommendations 17, 18, 26, 27 and 28. Recommendation 18 relates to the Rural Transport Programme for which Minister for Local, Community and Rural Economic Development, Ann Phelan, has responsibility within this Department.   Recommendation 17 relates to the improvement of the road...

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

Paschal Donohoe: Commercial vehicle owners have, for a long number of years,  been obliged to test their vehicle annually. This is a legal obligation in Ireland and throughout the EU. Roadworthiness testing standards are aimed at detecting any wear and tear, deterioration or alterations that could affect the roadworthiness or safety of the vehicle. Since October 2013, the certificate of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Process (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I have no role in the implementation of Part 4 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 which provides for mandatory disqualification from holding a small public service vehicle (SPSV) driver licence on conviction for specified serious offences. The specification of offences to which mandatory disqualification applies is based on the principle of ensuring the welfare and safety of passengers. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Navigation Orders (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I am satisfied that the existing arrangements, which provide for consultation between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are operating satisfactorily. My Department consults the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on matters of foreign policy on all exemption applications under the 1973 Order. If that Department has any objections or concerns on grounds of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: The review of taxi fares is a matter for the National Transport Authority as the independent regulatory authority for the small public service vehicle sector under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: In the context of the Trustee funding proposal for the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS), reference to the actuarial assumptions was included in the Expert Panel report of June 2014. At the request of my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Expert Panel was asked to re-engage with SIPTU and ICTU in relation to matters...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The vision of the National Cycle Policy Framework which was adopted in 2009 was to "create a strong cycling culture in Ireland".  Objective 3 of this policy sought to "provide designated rural cycle networks especially for visitors and recreational cycling". The policy identified the delivery of a National Cycle Network as the key to achieving this objective.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I meet regularly with trade unions and community organisations in the course of my work. I have had one such meeting specifically dealing with the approaches by IAG to Aer Lingus. At its request, I met with representatives of ICTU including SIPTU and IMPACT officials on 19 January at which they outlined their concerns about the IAG approaches. I reiterated that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: Under section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, as amended, it is a legal obligation to produce a driving licence or learner permit, as the case may be, and a legible copy of the licence or learner permit in court following a summons for a road traffic offence. Prosecution of cases where a licence or learner permit has not been produced is a matter for An Garda Síochána....

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

Paschal Donohoe: Tourism is a key driver of social and economic development at both national and regional levels in Ireland.  While any increase in domestic tourism would be beneficial for the sector and the wider economy, it should be noted that number of domestic tourism trips has held up well since 2010 and not declined by as much as the number of overseas trips taken by Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and  the recent approaches from IAG.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and  the recent approaches from IAG.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Feb 2015)

Paschal Donohoe: I have addressed the issues raised by IAG potential Offer for Aer Lingus in my answers to priority questions 4656/15 and 4666/15.   In relation to pensions, for the last number of years Aer Lingus, together with the other employers in the Irish Airline Superannuation Scheme, has been working with the various stakeholders to put the company's pension funding arrangements on a...