Results 4,261-4,280 of 9,435 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senator for his comments. We acknowledge that aviation is a global industry. It has weathered a crisis and demonstrated great resilience. It is important to state that much of the recovery in the passenger numbers has been driven by our successful vaccination programme and those of our European neighbours. At this stage, approximately 90% of our incoming passengers completing...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I might respond very briefly. Senators have raised the issue of membership of the DAA and, although the Bill does not set DAA membership, I take their comments on board. Section 17 sets the membership of AirNav. Its text is repeated from the existing Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 - as it currently applies to the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, it will now apply to the proposed Irish Air...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Members of local authorities are not precluded from this. This is text repeated from the existing Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 as it currently applies to the IAA and will now apply to the IANS. This section provides that a director of the IANS, or a subsidiary, who is elected to political office, either at national or European level, will cease to be a director. Similarly, an employee...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Senators. There were a number of issues there which were not directly related to the amendment. I will deal with IAA industrial relations first. I am aware a significant proportion of air traffic controllers have made representations to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in recent weeks outlining their concerns regarding workplace issues in the IAA. With any commercial State body,...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is important to differentiate between what we are doing in this Bill, which seeks to reform the regulatory structure, and industrial relations issues. It is very clear that we should not conflate the two and both aspects are equally important. The internal dispute resolution board was established with union agreement. It is important, as frustrating as it is, that both sides engage and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 125, inclusive, together. I would like to thank Deputy Wynne and Deputy Munster for their questions in relation to Shannon Group and the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the relevant local authorities. In terms of the timeline, I can advise the Deputies that Shannon Group is engaging with the relevant Local Authorities with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 to 131, inclusive, together. Details on waiting lists at each test centre are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this part of 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. Due to the suspension of driver testing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air are protected by Regulation (EC) 1107/2006. Article 12 of this regulation requires that where mobility equipment or assistive devices are lost or damaged whilst being handled at the airport or transported on board aircraft, the passenger to whom the equipment belongs shall be compensated, in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland has a driving licence exchange agreement in place with the UK. Under that agreement, a UK driving licence holder may exchange their licence for an Irish licence with equivalent categories, subject to some exceptions. Some UK licence categories only apply in the UK and are not exchangeable where there is no equivalent category in Ireland. Accordingly, the holders of licences with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Disabilities Assessments (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Both the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) are authorised by law to issue disabled parking permits. My Department has no role in either the issuing or the renewal of these permits and nor can it comment on individual cases.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Testing Service. 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 well below normal capacity and a significant backlog has developed....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specifics of any services or supports provided to individual persons in custody or on release. However, I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that, in general, all prisoners receive the balance of their own funds in their prison account on release. In addition, prior to release,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to refer the Deputy to the recent email responses sent to him from Minister Humphreys and from me, both of which issued on 1 October 2021. The position as outlined in these communications remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Justice Plan 2021 contains a commitment to commence a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme this year. In this regard, my Department is currently in the process of scoping the review and it is expected that it will commence later this year. It is now over 40 years since the first civil legal aid scheme was launched in Ireland and over 25 years since the scheme was placed on a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 519 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Justice Plan 2021 and the Programme for Government commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing. My Department has been actively engaged with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce looking at innovative approaches to support and develop a vibrant, diverse night-time culture and economy in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no vacancy for the position of Chaplain in either Limerick or Portlaoise Prison. Permanent Chaplains are assigned to both locations. I am advised however, that the Chaplain appointed to Portlaoise Prison is currently on a long-term absence from duty and Chaplaincy Services for Portlaoise Prison are currently being provided by the Midlands Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law. This law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet the high standards of safety set out at EU level for passing a driving test. Therefore, a holder of a Member State-issued licence who moves to Ireland can drive on that licence until the licence expires. On expiry, the licence holder can then...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (30 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The validity period of Initial Basic Training (IBT) certificates is set out in legislation. Making a change to the validity of an existing certificate requires a change in law. The Road Safety Authority and the Department of Transport announced a further extension to certificates for motorcycle Initial Basic Training (IBT), in order to take account of the impact of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (30 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a 10-year Haulage Strategy focused on improving efficiencies, standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future. A consultation document was published in April 2021. Over 40 submissions have been received in response to the public consultation. The intention is to finalise the Strategy before the end of...