Results 4,341-4,360 of 9,040 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driver Theory Test.   This is an operational matter for the RSA. 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: Driver Test (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.   Prior to COVID-19, the RSA provided 15,000 tests per month. In light of the significant backlog of customers,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: An Irish driving licence can be renewed up to 3 months before and up to 10 years after the date of expiry of the licence. An applicant whose licence expires while they are out of the country can renew the licence on their return, within this time frame. A medical report must be supplied when an applicant is renewing a truck or bus (Group 2) category on their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of airline passengers in instances of flight cancellations, among other matters.  It provides that where a flight is cancelled then the consumer must receive a refund within seven days.  However, there is no legal onus on airlines to refund where a flight goes ahead. Mindful of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driver Theory Test. This is an operational matter for the RSA. 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: Driver Test (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driver Theory Test.   This is an operational matter for the RSA. 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: Aviation Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 206, 207 and 208 together. As the Deputy is aware, Stobart Air held the contract for operating Government supported PSO air services on two routes between Dublin and the airports of Donegal and Kerry.  The recent termination of its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus resulted in the cancellation of these services with immediate implications for users...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests. The new offering will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles during June. The RSA has plans to increase this by a further 6,000...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Speech (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy may be aware, incitement to hatred is a criminal offence under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989. Justice Plan 2021 commits to introducing new legislation to deal with hate crime and incitement to hatred by the end of this year. The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021 was published on 16 April, and is available on the Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together. It has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy within the timeframe permitted in respect of Parliamentary Questions 33393/21 and 33394/21. I have requested the relevant information and will provide it directly to the Deputy once it has been received.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the organisation is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all laws, circulars and directives regarding the terms and conditions of employment of Civil Servants including the benefits, rights, or entitlements set out in the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, referred to in the question above.  If the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (22 Jun 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, the establishment of the Parole Board on a statutory footing is a priority action under Justice Plan 2021 which envisages the new Board being established by July 2021. The new Board will replace the interim Board that currently operates on an administrative basis. The Parole Act 2019 puts the Parole Board on an independent statutory footing and it sets out...

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.