Results 4,081-4,100 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (9 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The validity period of Initial Basic Training (IBT) certificates is set out in legislation. In 2020, an extension was granted for IBT certificates. In 2021 a further extension was granted as follows - (a) an IBT certificate issued during the period beginning on 01 March 2018 and ending on 30 June 2018 was made valid until 01 October 2021, (b) an IBT certificate issued during the period...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (9 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The correspondence referred to is addressed to the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. It relates in particular to measures announced in Budget 2022, which are primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure. Like many other sectors of the economy, road haulage is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I hear the concerns of the Deputies. We are endeavouring to address these issues. As regards the terms of reference of the coastal advisory group, the purpose of the coastal advisory group is to provide a structured method of consultation and communication between the Irish Coast Guard and volunteer members. It recognises a key role that the volunteers play in delivering search and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to come before the House. The temporary standing down of Doolin Coast Guard unit operations is a proportionate response having regard to significant ongoing attempts by the Irish Coast Guard to address the unfortunate differences that have existed within the unit and their impact on the unit. Equally, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I agree that we must consider targeted measures based on service provision across the country. There will be people who will need a private car. The evidence is there regarding emissions reductions with electric vehicles. In particular where people have no other alternative, we must look at measures in that respect. I will not go into the grants. Deputy Duncan Smith is very well aware...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cycling Facilities (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I think €287 million or quarter of a billion euro is a significant figure, especially in the context of Covid-19, given that greenways, which are part of this, were not considered essential works during the lockdown. That may have brought the figure down slightly but as the resources are allocated to local authorities in relation to active travel projects, we will see - and we will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cycling Facilities (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Absolutely. It is said by people who engage in and spearhead cycle buses that hopefully one day we will not need them and will have safe routes to school and protected infrastructure such that parents feel confident to let their children cycle to school appropriately. What is important about the safe routes to school programme is that the schools are actively involved in these solutions....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. Providing a sustainable low-carbon transport system is a key priority for the Department. The programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reductions to 2030. Ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050 and electrification will be key to achieving that in the transport sector. EVs are the most prominent transport mitigation...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy made some valid points in relation to looking at other areas. Preparations are under way to establish an office of low emissions vehicles. This office will play an important role in our transition to zero-emission vehicles and will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the roll-out of charge point infrastructure. In the context of rural Ireland, we spoke about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the management and improvement of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in conjunction with local authorities. A key priority...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. Ensuring that minimum standards are kept is a matter for local authorities. Local authorities, with TII, identify roads that need to be further maintained. The maintenance, protection and renewal budget was protected, which recognises the importance of road connectivity and safety for all road users. It is critical that we have new road infrastructure built as part of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank both Deputies. A list of projects is mentioned in the NDP. Projects currently under construction are the M50 traffic control management unit, the N5 from Westport to Turlough, the N56 from Dungloe to Glenties, the N22 from Baile Bhuirne to Macroom, the M8 Dunkettle interchange, and the N5 from Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge. There are other projects earmarked to begin construction...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cycling Facilities (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy knows, and this is probably the reason he is asking, in the programme for Government, we committed that €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling infrastructure per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will help to support the delivery of about 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies. Minister Ryan is attending Cabinet this morning. That is why he cannot be in the Dáil to take questions. However, if there are any further questions Deputy Brady wants answered, I can certainly relay them to him. The Climate Action Plan will be published later today, so that is why he could not attend. In relation to-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The rail services are critical. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to invest in public transport, including in rail. Part of that is the national rail review. This is a both North and South rail review and it will be completed next year. All of the issues that the Deputy has raised about what the NTA is looking at will be considered and examined as part of that process....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A Department internal audit report in 2019 recommended improvements in Coast Guard procurement. Implementation of these recommendations was underway prior to the Comptroller and Auditor General raising the issue of procurement of vehicles in 2020. In particular, new internal controls in accordance with best practice procurement procedures have been put in place. Additional resources have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is important to say that improved procurement procedures have been implemented within the Coast Guard area. In 2019, my Department’s internal audit unit carried out a procurement gap analysis, which identifies a number of areas with significant scope for improvement. The following eight recommendations are contained in the March 2020 audit report: the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is critical that we have a robust and well-resourced search and rescue, SAR, capability in Ireland. We are all aware in our own communities of the excellent volunteers who do critical, Trojan work in coming to people’s rescue in their hour of need. It is critical. I am committed to ensuring that whatever resources and supports are needed are in place to ensure that we have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Following the completion of the pilot, a review of the overall system was undertaken, and in 2019, An Garda Síochána confirmed acceptance of the review recommendations and that the pilot installation could be confirmed as permanent. However, it was necessary to retender the technical and operational parts of the project, as the original installation was a pilot project only. Under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I hear the Deputy's concerns. There is no legislative barrier to this. The Department does the legislation and it is up to the agencies - the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, An Garda Síochána and the local authorities - to roll out these projects. I take her points on accessibility on public transport. We have increased Garda resources in this budget. The Deputy...