Results 3,741-3,760 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Official Apology (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey. In regard to meeting the Whiddy Island families, I would of course be happy to meet them, as would the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, if any request was made to my office to do so. I again want to say that any request from the families will of course be considered by all Departments involved, taking account of the report of the tribunal of inquiry and any subsequent...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. I would like to clarify that the provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Official Apology (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey for raising this important issue. I acknowledge what a tragedy the Whiddy Island disaster was and express my deepest sympathies to those who died and the families they left behind. A tribunal of inquiry was established in April 1979, with the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Declan Costello, being appointed to lead the inquiry. A number of public hearings with oral...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Testing (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements. I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In line with the Programme for Government, my Department is committed to providing access to the driving licence system for asylum seekers. As Irish driving licence legislation is based on a framework of EU law, consideration must be given to the relevant EU Directives. While the legislative requirements are being examined, work is continuing on the administrative and technical solutions...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Proposed Legislation (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan. I thank Deputy Collins for raising the matter of the regulation of horse-drawn carriages for hire and reward within the Dublin area. The Minister has asked me to use this opportunity to outline how this issue came about and to set out the work under way with Dublin City Council to resolve this issue....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Proposed Legislation (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will convey what the Deputy stated here to the Minister, Deputy Ryan. On the process, once the general scheme is published, the Minister will engage with the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications in regard to commencement of the pre-legislative scrutiny. I want again to underline the Government's commitment to resolving this issue and empowering Dublin City Council to regulate...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and addressing our climate action challenge, and the Government is committed to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. As the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will relay the Deputies' comments to the Minister. I reiterate that the national development plan supports and commits to BusConnects, DART+ and MetroLink. The most important date for MetroLink will be when it secures planning permission. To do that, it needs to enter the planning system and, to do that, it needs Government approval. The focus within the Department is on completing the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coroners Service (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter and for the opportunity to provide clarity on some issues. The Coroner Service comprises the network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial officeholders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coroners Service (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I understand the frustration and the pain of many families. I empathise with the concerns raised here tonight. I reiterate that I have no role in the timing and the conduct of the inquests and that it is strictly a matter for the coroner concerned. Regarding the specific concerns relating to Cork, as I have said, the Courts Service works closely with coroners throughout the country to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Senator Buttimer for giving me the opportunity to make a statement with regard to plans for an aviation recovery strategy and the commitment of the Government to support our airports. We are all well aware that the aviation sector plays a critical role in our economy, as Senator Buttimer said, as a direct employer, an indirect employer and a driving force for tourism and business,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senator for his comments. We acknowledge that aviation is a global industry. It has weathered a crisis and demonstrated great resilience. It is important to state that much of the recovery in the passenger numbers has been driven by our successful vaccination programme and those of our European neighbours. At this stage, approximately 90% of our incoming passengers completing...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I might respond very briefly. Senators have raised the issue of membership of the DAA and, although the Bill does not set DAA membership, I take their comments on board. Section 17 sets the membership of AirNav. Its text is repeated from the existing Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 - as it currently applies to the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, it will now apply to the proposed Irish Air...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Members of local authorities are not precluded from this. This is text repeated from the existing Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 as it currently applies to the IAA and will now apply to the IANS. This section provides that a director of the IANS, or a subsidiary, who is elected to political office, either at national or European level, will cease to be a director. Similarly, an employee...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senators. There were a number of issues there which were not directly related to the amendment. I will deal with IAA industrial relations first. I am aware a significant proportion of air traffic controllers have made representations to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in recent weeks outlining their concerns regarding workplace issues in the IAA. With any commercial State body,...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is important to differentiate between what we are doing in this Bill, which seeks to reform the regulatory structure, and industrial relations issues. It is very clear that we should not conflate the two and both aspects are equally important. The internal dispute resolution board was established with union agreement. It is important, as frustrating as it is, that both sides engage and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 125, inclusive, together. I would like to thank Deputy Wynne and Deputy Munster for their questions in relation to Shannon Group and the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the relevant local authorities. In terms of the timeline, I can advise the Deputies that Shannon Group is engaging with the relevant Local Authorities with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As 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.