Results 2,861-2,880 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware that representatives of An Post are appearing before the committee in the next few weeks. That is something to raise with them. I know that An Post is actively looking at further incentives and business that can be driven through the post office network.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, I have had ongoing engagement with the DAA. I do not need to say it, but we are all very clear that what happened on Sunday cannot happen again and cannot be repeated. We have had very robust engagement with the DAA. I know that representatives of the authority appeared before the committee earlier and, therefore, members are well briefed on its plans. I will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: These are the questions that I have put to the DAA. The crux of the issue seems to be around the security staff who are X-ray scanners and are specially trained. That seems to be the issue. There are other issues across the airport around managing queues. There are plenty of companies out there that provide services to manage crowds going to concerts, for example. If the DAA needs to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Of course. The DAA is a commercial entity. On the issue of the use of the Army, it has been mentioned by the DAA and it has come up in discussions. It is unclear what the Army would do at this point, particularly coming into the weekend. As I have said, the crux of the matter is around security officers who are specially trained and have to have a particular certification to do that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is critical. The staff in Dublin Airport have been fantastic despite being under enormous pressure in recent weeks and months. I have received considerable positive feedback about the staff dealing with passengers in very difficult circumstances. It is important that staff are paid. Issues with IT and salaries need to be dealt with immediately. People cannot be working overtime and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Those are matters for the DAA. I have been very clear that it needs to deal with these issues and come out with clear communications to the passengers, particularly this weekend, reassuring that them that while there may be queues, they will get on their flights and they will be able to move through the airport in a safe manner. We are expecting the public to be given that reassurance this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: They have gone through the training required for security and all that. The question is what the Army would be asked to do. Would it be managing crowds of passengers? Other organisations can do that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Nothing is off the table from the Government's point of view. The DAA needs to ensure it does all it can do to maximise its resources and manage the passengers. As we all know, the Army is involved in critical valuable work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: We do not want to call it in unnecessarily when other resources can be used by a commercial entity, the DAA, whose role is to manage passengers through the airport. I am listening to them. I have met the chair of the DAA and I have met members of the DAA management board every day this week. Yesterday I met representatives of SIPTU to discuss workers. I am acutely aware of all the issues....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is a grant from the State going to postmasters via An Post. There is no tax liability from our side on it. A tax liability would be up to An Post. The intention here is that this funding is going to the postmasters, protecting the most vulnerable. It is a direct grant from the State to the postmasters via An Post. We do not have any involvement with tax, PRSI or anything like that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The issue of printing was raised with me by postmasters who were identifying some of these services they could provide. That is a good idea and I will ask my officials to explore it with An Post. The Deputy is right about the opportunities with the provision of banking through the post office network. The commercial contracts are negotiated by An Post and so it would need to be through that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Can I pair? I do not believe I am paired.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Has it been ringing long?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The vote is regarding the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Shanahan. It was a very positive visit to Waterford Airport and to celebrate 20 years of the search and rescue service there. To reiterate what I said when I visited the airport, the commitment from the Government to help fund a runway there still stands. There are conditions around that, of which everyone is aware, regarding a proposal coming from Waterford Airport in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey for his engagement with me and my officials in respect of this important matter. It is important that we get the message out to people that they need to use their post offices in order to support the network as we roll out services. An Post, which is an independent, commercial, semi-State company, has a strategy and a mandate to ensure that there is increased services...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for his comments about An Post. I want to acknowledge Ms Jenny O'Hora from the Department. She was instrumental in leading on this matter and getting this package over the line. With regard to aviation, regional connectivity is absolutely critical. I am from Galway and use Shannon Airport regularly. It is great to walk through the baggage control having all your...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Future of the An Post Network: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I imagine it will start again in the latter part of this year.