Results 4,761-4,780 of 9,040 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (6 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The relevant legislation in cases such as that referred to by the Deputy is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993. This Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of a number of bodies. Section 51 places the initial responsibility for removing a wreck on the owner of the vessel. However, if the appropriate authority, in this case Cork County Council, considers the wreck is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (6 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Investigations (6 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the existence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Investigations (6 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am informed that the independent review to which the Deputy refers relates to the operation of the Voluntary Mess Committees in the Prisons and that terms of reference have been drafted and an independent company is in the process of being appointed to carry out the review. Once commenced, the review is expected to take between four and six months to complete.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will act on interim recommendationsfrom 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. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 191 together. Officials in my Department have ongoing engagement with An Garda Síochána with regard to the enforcement of the road traffic laws throughout Ireland, including breaches of bus lane restrictions. While I can confirm that bus lane enforcement was among the issues raised with my Department by Dublin City Council in 2020, no...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Section 41 (7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 provides that a dispute on 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 Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 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. I can confirm that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted a proposal to my Department for a further extension to IBT certificates. This is currently being worked on within my Department. An update is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 179 together. As part of the broader easing of restrictions across Irish society I can confirm that the gradual reopening of the driving instruction industry will commence from the 10th of May. Initial Basic Training (IBT) for all learner motorcyclists may resume from that date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) may also resume but only in such...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The extension of Covid19 level 5 restrictions by Government means that the Driver Theory Test continues to be suspended. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service Provision (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 170 and 171 together. The current status of the procurement process for the national IRCG aviation service can be referenced in the Published eTenders update on eTenders and my Department's dedicated webpage - linked here SAR Webpage. R117, which is based in Waterford airport, is part of the existing CHCI DAC national service procured in 2010 and which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 173, 174, 175, 176 and 177 together. The relevant legislation in cases such as that referred to by the Deputy is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993. This Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of a number of bodies. Section 40 of the Act provides that the Minister for Transport has the “general superintendence”...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The details requested are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including the Aviation sector. These supports include the wage subsidy scheme, waiving of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, with some of these now extended to 30 June 2021. Irish airlines and airports have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My officials and I maintain regular contact with all aviation stakeholders, including Aer Lingus. It is understood that Aer Lingus is planning to commence services on a small number of transatlantic routes from Manchester later this year. The airline has confirmed that the proposed new routes do not involve the use of aircraft that would otherwise be deployed in Irish airports. It...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Aer Lingus entered into certain commitments at the time of its acquisition by IAG in 2015 in relation to the operation of its London Heathrow slots. Subject to certain conditions being met at Irish airports, Aer Lingus's connectivity commitments will remain in effect until 1 September 2022. There is no existing provision to further extend these commitments, and the operation of particular...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage. As the Deputy is aware Shannon Group is a commercial semi State Body with statutory responsilites for the management of its subsidiaries, including Shannon Heritage. That said, I can confirm that there is ongoing engagement between my Department and Shannon Group and that options to secure the future of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the recent aviation restart plan produced by the aviation industry participants of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF). This report contains many recommendations for consideration across a number of Government Departments. I have written to the NCADF seeking additional information and clarity on the operational readiness of the sector regarding a resumption...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of light rail. As the Deputy may be aware, the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, published in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Waterways Issues (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport generally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public and sustainable transport infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant...