Results 4,141-4,160 of 9,435 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Reducing transport emissions in sectors that operate heavy duty vehicles (e.g. haulage, coaches and buses) is particularly challenging. Heavy duty vehicles, which accounted for 21% of land transport emissions in 2020, will continue to be a specific focus of the work of my Department under the climate action policy in collaboration with the operators and industry representatives who make up...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Before the Covid-19 crisis, officials at the Department of Transport had commenced scoping work on a revised version of the National Aviation Policy. The principal goals of that policy are to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development. This work was paused...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Covid-19 has had on profound effect on the delivery of the Road Safety Authority’s driver theory testing and driver testing services. Theory tests were first suspended due to COVID 19 in March 2020. The service resumed, on a gradual basis, in mid-June 2020. However, driver theory tests were not deemed an essential service under Level 5. As a consequence, the service was closed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department has a large suite of legislation which provides an Garda Síochána with the powers it needs to deal with the dangers of underage and/or unlicensed drivers. Under road traffic legislation, it is illegal to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle if under the prescribed minimum age for that category of vehicle. Different age categories apply to different types of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Department of Transport provides an annual maintenance grant to support the search and rescue activities of certain Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams, which is provided from the IRCG budget. The Department does not currently provide capital funding grants for voluntary rescue and recovery groups, but the matter will be considered on an ongoing basis and in the context of the 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The primary function of our state ports is to facilitate maritime transport which is the most important means of connecting Ireland to international markets, accounting for more than 90% of Ireland’s international trade, in volume terms. At the same time, it is recognised that there is a pressing need for Ireland to have the port capacity in place to exploit the opportunities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I and my Department liaise closely with the Irish Road Haulage Association, other stakeholder organisations in the haulage sector and individual hauliers. Minister Ryan has also met with the haulage representative organisations. Most recently, in October I had a number of meetings with the haulage representative organisations and individual haulage operators to discuss the pressing issue of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank Deputy Crowe for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage. This question has been transferred to me for reply from my colleague, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. I can advise the Deputy that Shannon Group is continuing to engage with the relevant Local Authorities and is working to reach agreement on the transfer of the Shannon...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government put in place a broad range of unprecedented supports very early in the pandemic to help mitigate impacts on business, including a wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, a commercial rates waiver and deferred tax liabilities. It is estimated that Irish airlines and airports, including Cork Airport, have availed of over €300 million...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will act on interim recommendations from the Chair of the Expert Group on the Provision of Support, including Accommodation, to Persons in the International Protection Process (Asylum Seekers) to improve conditions for asylum seekers currently living in the system. This includes the ability to apply for driver licences. There are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test and Theory Test. Specific details relating to Limerick City and County are held by the Road Safety Authority. 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 within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Reviews (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (4 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Changes of motor tax class and the issuing of refunds of motor tax are processed through the vehicle owner's local motor tax office. They cannot currently be transacted online. In this instance, the vehicle owner should contact Limerick City and County Council motor tax office at motortax@limerick.ie, providing telephone contact details. That office, which has been made aware of the...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome this motion from my Fine Gael colleagues and thank them for the work they have put into it. Many of the actions called for in the motion reflect the Government's existing and planned projects and policies for public transport, and I can confirm that the Government supports the motion, as proposed. I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the House on current developments on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. Due to the suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, services are operating below normal capacity and a significant backlog has developed. In line with the gradual reopening of services this summer, driving tests for all those who are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours and Piers (3 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department does not provide any funding for development and maintenance of local authority owned piers or harbours. It is my understanding there has been contact between the RNLI and the relevant local authority on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Any vehicle that is to be used during the course of a driving test must hold a valid National Car Test (NCT) certificate. As the Deputy has noted, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided for a four-month extension to test due dates for certain vehicles as a result of the suspension of the NCT Service on 28 March 2020. This extension automatically applies...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The scheduling of driving tests 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 within...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test and Driving Licensing services. Individual cases are a matter for the Authority. 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 within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under the The Road Traffic Act, 1961, users of mechanically propelled vehicles in a public place, as defined in the Act, must ensure that their vehicle is taxed appropriately, with penalties under road traffic laws for non-compliance. The Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which was recently published, proposes an amendment to the vehicle categories in Section 3 of the Act, to provide that...