Results 3,441-3,460 of 9,380 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (31 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test, and as the information requested is held by the Authority I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Registration Tax (31 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) issued by my Department, otherwise known as a log book, is the official ownership document of a vehicle in Ireland. It is issued when a vehicle is registered in Ireland and when payment of the initial motor tax has been completed (for both new and imported vehicles) and upon each change of ownership (other than to a motor dealer) thereafter. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: All road haulage operations for hire or reward are subject to licensing regulations, and in fact unlicensed haulage is an offence under legislation. Any operator who is exempt from the licensing regulations due to the nature of their work – for example, an own account operator – is, by definition, not a haulier. On 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (31 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Ireland - Ethiopia Bilateral Air Services Agreement, signed in 2014, allows for the grant of fifth freedom air traffic rights for airlines of both countries, subject to the approval of the respective aeronautical authorities. Ireland traditionally has applied a liberal aviation policy that has proven hugely successful in expanding the international connectivity that is critical in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy O’Donnell for giving me the opportunity to update the House on this topic. As Members are aware, Shannon Group informed my Department in summer 2020 that it was necessary to consider a comprehensive and radical adjustment to its structure. This was necessary due to the capital investment required to maintain the heritage sites and the lack of expertise in maintaining...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I reiterate that the Government recognises the importance of King John's Castle to the people of Limerick and also to the mid-west region. I too want to compliment Limerick City and County Council for its endeavours and goodwill in regard to the engagement. Work is ongoing between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage around that funding gap. We are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Motor tax for private vehicles is based on either engine capacity or, for vehicles registered since 2008, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In both cases, motor tax rates are based on a graduated banding structure. For engine capacity, vehicles with bigger engines attract a higher rate of motor tax. Where motor tax is based on CO2, which is 83% of the private vehicle fleet, vehicles with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: A driving licence cannot be renewed more than 3 months before the date of expiry of the licence, as set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (SI 537 of 2006), as amended. When the extension to the validity of driving licences was made under EU Regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic, the expiry date on the driver file for each person affected was updated to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Energy Prices (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government is very much aware of the increased costs that the haulage sector has been facing over recent weeks, including as a result of higher prices for the fuel additive AdBlue. That is why, on 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure – the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme – to address cost pressures in the sector. Details on how to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Question Nos. 197 to 202, inclusive, together. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially and it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the taxpayer. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially and it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the taxpayer. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ukraine War (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland does not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens entering Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) can apply for an Irish licence in the normal way, by obtaining a learner permit and then sitting a practical test. People who have held a full Ukrainian licence for more than two years can avail of the shorter Essential Driver...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure - the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. I can confirm that the scheme is available only to operators holding a road haulage transport operator licence. In deciding on this targeted, temporary scheme, the Government considered that the licensed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Ireland - Ethiopia Bilateral Air Services Agreement, signed in 2014, allows for the grant of fifth freedom air traffic rights for airlines of both countries, subject to the approval of the respective aeronautical authorities. Ireland traditionally has applied a liberal aviation policy that has proven hugely successful in expanding the international connectivity that is critical in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure - the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. Details on how to avail of the scheme will be communicated directly to licensed hauliers as soon as possible by my officials using the contact email address held by the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of air services is a commercial decision for air operators to make, in consultation with airports and other involved market actors. The provision of incentives to attract the operation of air services is a decision for Donegal airport to make, again in consultation with air operators and other involved market actors. My Department recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ukraine War (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is not my intention to waive the requirement that a person resident here must have an Irish or other EU driving licence and the necessary motor insurance to drive in Ireland. These driving requirements are set out in EU and national law and are a matter of road safety. Driving licence requirements for displaced people entering the EU under the Temporary Protection Directive are a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure - the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. The scheme was developed for licensed hauliers specifically for the reasons outlined below. My Department is aware there are approximately 20,000 own account HGV vehicles, therefore the cost to the...