Results 4,241-4,260 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Seanad: Aviation Sector: Statements (21 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am pleased to update the House on aviation matters. This is clearly an exceptionally challenging time for the aviation sector, and particularly for those whose livelihoods depend on the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The global pandemic has had a devastating impact on international travel throughout the world. The Government is conscious of the need to continue to support the...

Seanad: Aviation Sector: Statements (21 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate. I share their concerns about the devastating impact of this global pandemic on the aviation sector and share their deep regret regarding the failure of Stobart Air and the closure of the Aer Lingus base at Shannon Airport. I am acutely aware of all the issues raised and have met with all key stakeholders on several occasions since the...

Regional Airports and Aviation: Statements (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for contributing to this debate. I fully understand and appreciate the level of concern raised by all Deputies regarding connectivity to our regions, the pressure that those in the aviation sector are under and the impact on all of those who have lost their jobs. I can assure all of those involved in the sector that the Government is fully committed to helping the...

Regional Airports and Aviation: Statements (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am delighted to have the opportunity to update the House this evening on what the Government is doing to support our regional airports and aviation in general. As an island nation, Ireland is particularly dependent on air connectivity, both socially and economically, and we all know that international travel and regional connectivity, which is facilitated by our regional airports, is vital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Both Minister Ryan and I met with the Aer Lingus CEO soon after their base closures announcement, and they did confirm that there is no strategic intent to reduce connectivity at Shannon Airport, but that the restoration of air services would depend on market conditions. It was clear from my discussions that the priority for Aer Lingus, and for all aviation stakeholders, is clarity on plans...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The temporary closure of Aer Lingus's crew base at Cork Airport aligns with the airports planned closure to carry out construction works on its main runway and associated infrastructure. In addition to the announced lay offs for the period, the airline also reported that they will be seeking a number of redundancies. The airline has indicated that such immediate actions and wider structural...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Irish aviation sector is critical to Ireland’s economic development, as it is a key enabler of international trade and business, including foreign direct investment and tourism. For this reason, our aviation policy places a priority on international connectivity. The sector is experiencing the most challenging crisis in its history, with many analysts predicting that it will take...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Our public health authorities are responsible for determining the most appropriate testing regimes for COVID-19 in Ireland, and Government is guided by their recommendations. The Government has decided that for testing for inbound international travel to Ireland a Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is currently the only test that is accepted.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 81 together. Government has been clear in expressing its support for the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) proposal and welcomes the agreement reached between the Council and European Parliament which will enable roll-out of the system and allow DCCs to begin to be issued to EU citizens in the coming weeks. I can advise the Deputy that the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout the COVID crisis including representatives of the travel trade. Since the impacts of the crisis on international travel became apparent in March last year, particularly on sectors such as aviation and the outbound travel trade, officials from my Department have liaised closely with the Irish Travel Agents Association, which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. I am fully aware of the pronounced impacts of COVID-19 on Shannon Airport, like all airports in Ireland and around the world. In recognition of these impacts Government put in place a range of horizontal economy wide supports which Shannon Group is availing of as appropriate. These include both wage supports and the COVID Restrictions...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The use of antigen testing in relation to international travel is a matter for the Minister for Health in the first instance. Government decisions relating to COVID-19 testing are based on public health advice.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The sudden announcement by Stobart Air last weekend had an immediate impact on regional connectivity, in particular on PSO flights between Dublin and the airports of Donegal and Kerry. In that regard, my priority is to restore this connectivity as soon as possible through an emergency procurement process with a view to services being operational again by mid July. This restoration of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy has previously been advised, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances facing the aviation sector, the Government announced a funding package for Irish aviation last November. The following outlines the total package of sector-specific supports available to aviation in 2021: Following the evaluation of projects submitted for capital funding under both the Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Section 41 (7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 provides that a dispute in respect of superannuation benefit may be submitted to the Minister for Transport for determination by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I can confirm that two such submissions have been received by my Department on behalf of staff of the Irish Aviation Authority. These appeals are now with the...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The procurement process for the new Search and Rescue Aviation service has commenced in compliance with the Public Spending Code. The current status of the process can be referenced in the Published eTenders update on eTenders and a dedicated page on Gov.ie (SAR Webpage). This is an on-going deliberative process which will ultimately lead to a Government decision so I am limited in what I can...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The temporary closure of Aer Lingus's crew base at Cork Airport aligns with the airports planned closure to carry out construction works on its main runway and associated infrastructure. In addition to the announced lay offs for the period, the airilne also reported that they will be seeking a number of redundancies. The airline has indicated that such immediate actions and wider structural...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The goal of the global aviation security system is to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference including, inter alia, hijackings. The specialised UN agency, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) formulates and adopts Standards and Recommended Practices to prevent and suppress all acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation throughout the world and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together. All persons who have been overseas in the 14 days prior to entering Ireland (apart from those arriving from designated states who are subject to mandatory hotel quarantine) are required by law to quarantine at home for 14 days, and are requested to arrange a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (17 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, in recognition of the significant challenges being faced by Cork and Shannon airports, the Government established a Covid19 Regional State Airports Programme earlier this year. This is providing both capital and operational supports to these airports in 2021 with an available budget of €32.1m. Furthermore, on 24 February 2021, my Department secured...