Results 4,241-4,260 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. If planning approval is received from An Bord Pleanála and there are no legal challenges, the proposed project will then require Government approval under the public spending code to proceed to the next stage. That will include procurement of a contractor. Given that the project will cost more than €100 million, it will also be subject to final Government...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This project is a key component of Galway transport strategy, which realises Galway city and county councils' vision of all elements of the transport system working together to achieve an integrated, sustainable transport system. The Galway city ring road would free up free up road space in the city by removing through traffic. That road space could be used for improved public transport...

Recovery of Tourism and Aviation: Statements (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I join the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, in thanking all Deputies for their contributions to this debate. The aviation and tourism sectors are among those most impacted by the Covid crisis. Civil aviation is emerging from by far the most sustained and challenging crisis it has ever faced, with many analysts predicting that it will take several years to return to 2019 levels of activity....

Recovery of Tourism and Aviation: Statements (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am glad to have this opportunity to update the House on the recovery of aviation, which is a key supporting element in the recovery of tourism that the Minister has just outlined. The Government is very much alive to the challenges faced by both sectors and has proven its commitment to their recovery through the various strategic and financial supports provided to date. I am pleased to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In terms of specific vehicle-related taxes, I have policy responsibility for motor tax, however VRT (including the NOx charge), fuel taxes (including the carbon tax element and VAT) and benefit-in-kind for company cars are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In terms of environmental policy, the Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment to an average of a 7%...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test Service, including the allocation of resources and test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the 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 (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The content of driving tests are set at European Union level and are set out in Directive 2006/126/EC. There are differences in the driving tests for trucks and buses and any changes to allow bus drivers to drive trucks, even on a temporary basis, would have to be made at European Union level. It is not my intention to make changes to the driving licensing regulations to allow bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test Service, including the allocation of resources and test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and as Minister I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the 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: Traffic Fines (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department is currently working with both the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and An Garda Síochána in relation to such matters.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 197, inclusive, together. Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driver Testing Service. This is an operational matter for the RSA. This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputies to contact my office if a response has not been received...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter for An Garda Síochana and not under the remit of the Minister for Transport.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (7 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together. As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998, as well as the separation of powers in the Constitution. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made...

The National Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 and Supporting Community Safety: Statements (6 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Minister of State, the Ceann Comhairle and Deputies. Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their community. At its heart, community safety is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish. Ireland is generally regarded as a safe country in international terms, with relatively low...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies again for raising the issue. Bearing in mind the concerns the Deputies have raised, there are several important points I would like to finish on to put the circumstances into context. The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for management in each of the fire services, based on their assessment of local...

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...