Results 4,021-4,040 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Air Accident Investigation Unit Final Report into R116 air accident: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The R116 accident was a tragedy that claimed the lives of four crew who dedicated their lives to saving others. I express my sympathies to the families and loved ones of pilot Dara Fitzpatrick, co-pilot Mark Duffy, winchman Ciarán Smyth and winch operator Paul Ormsby. I thank Members for their contributions. It is clear that we all share a common goal of seeking to prevent similar...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Correspondence (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Communications (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use in a public place. This is underpinned by the provisions of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013. The primary purpose of the Act is to replace the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The most expeditious, seamless and efficient process to obtain or renew a driving licence is to apply online on www.NDLS.ie. To use the online system, an applicant must have a public services card and a verified MyGovID account. The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In the context of supporting greater connectivity on the island of Ireland, the Irish Government has agreed ‘to take forward a review of the potential for Government support to renewed viable air routes from Cork to Belfast and Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver improved connections as a priority’as part of its commitments...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (17 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the RSA received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Accident Investigations (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I fully accept the recommendations contained within the report and I and the Department of Transport will continue to evaluate the findings of the report in the coming weeks. The completion of the investigation and the publication of the report is a key step in ensuring that such accidents are prevented in the future. I have received from the Air Accident Investigation Unit 14...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This information is held by the Road Safety Authority, as it has direct responsibility for the driving test service. I have passed the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply; if a response has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is committed to supporting the near 900 dedicated volunteers who help provide the important and life-saving services of the IRCG. Ongoing consultation with the Coast Guard volunteers is key to the success of the Coast Guard. For this reason, Coast Guard volunteers have for some time had a representative body called the Coastal Unit Advisory Group. This group...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Meetings (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In regard to representation within the volunteer cadre of the Coast Guard, the Coastal Unit Advisory Group has been in existence for over 20 years. The Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) is the dedicated body in place, made up of elected volunteers and full time staff to represent the interests of the Coast Guard volunteers. I have recently met with the CUAG and I can also confirm my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Doolin Coast Guard unit is currently off the board for operational reasons and safety concerns due to internal issues within the unit. Doolin Coast Guard unit is a four function unit – search, cliff, boat and drone. The eventual return of the unit to operation is not solely based on numbers. There are a minimum number of personnel required for the various functions and an on-going...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The temporary standing down of Doolin Coast Guard Unit operations is a proportionate response having regard to ongoing attempts to address the unfortunate differences that have existed within the unit and their impact on the unit. Equally, the recent resignations of several Doolin Coast Guard volunteers have contributed to this decision. The key objective is to ensure the safety of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Road Safety Authority has direct responsibility for the driving test service, I am passing this query on to the Authority for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a response within 10 working days, he should contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The issuing of driving licences is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred this 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: Driver Licences (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. It is important to remember that driver licensing law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet high standards of safety. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level. All EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another. For non-EU jurisdictions, we...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government is acting to improve conditions for people in the International Protection Programme, including access to the driving licence system. However, a number of legal, administrative and technical issues need to be resolved to achieve this. Provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, to be introduced at Committee Stage, will provide...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, a significant backlog in driving tests developed. When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting five tests each per day, as against eight before the pandemic. This subsequently increased to six tests and since 27...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (16 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The possibility of exchange agreements is a matter to be considered by the Road Safety Authority. In the absence of a request from the Authority or the United Arab Emirates authorities, I do not intend to initiate the examination of a possible agreement with United Arab Emirates at this time.