Results 4,961-4,980 of 9,059 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, we have received state aid approval for €26 million and many of the airports have already put in their submissions to the Department regarding capital projects in which they wish to invest. That work is ongoing. It is important that I mention that I am meeting with industry. I am having a second meeting tomorrow of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, on which...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In respect of connectivity, the €26 million fund to which I referred earlier is compensation for businesses that have suffered damages due to Covid-19. This will enable airports to be able to work directly with airlines to attract them, to put route incentives in place, to charge rebates and work with the airlines on their needs because, obviously, they must respond to the market and...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The importance of the post office network is critical to the Government. It is in the programme for Government that we need to ensure we have a sustainable and viable post office network. Postmasters have a contract with An Post and this is a matter between postmasters and An Post. They are commercial decisions with An Post. That said, I have received Government approval to set up a...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is a matter for An Post. These are decisions that An Post must make. An Post gave a commitment that there will be a post office in every community of more than 500 people and within 15 km of 95% of the rural population and 3 km of the urban population. For example, all island post offices are being retained. Where a post office in a Gaeltacht area closes, An Post will ensure that...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will deal with the Deputy's last question first. Some €6 million of the €26 million fund is allocated to the regional airports in Knock, Kerry and Donegal. The remaining €20 million is allocated to the other airports. It is up to the individual airports to assess their needs as regards required funding and to make applications to the Department. I understand that...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would love to have a crystal ball in front of me so that I could answer the Deputy's question but unfortunately I do not. I would love for them to return tomorrow. As he will be aware, we are in putting in place mandatory hotel quarantine. The Taoiseach will announce the Cabinet decision as to the new level of restrictions within the country at 6 p.m. With regard to engagement with...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The appointment of a chair to the board of Shannon Group is absolutely critical. It is a pivotal moment for the group and its direction post Covid-19. As the Deputy will know, the appointment of the chair is within the remit of the Minister. I know he is working on it at the moment so I am sure he will be happy to update the Deputy on his plans in that regard.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government position is that it does not support PSOs. I have, however, done extensive work in setting up a high-level group to look at offline potential for An Post. There is a great deal of untapped potential for the post office network to take advantage of. That is one project on which the Government is working. We need to ensure An Post has a viable and sustainable future. That...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I cannot give a timeline in that regard as yet. All I can say is that a significant volume of work is being done on this issue. The importance of the post office network is a high priority for the Government and for me, as Minister of State with responsibility for this area. I want to have a sustainable and viable post office network that can have a long-term future. It has significant...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. I think all present are in agreement on the importance of the NBP. I have a vivid recollection of chairing a meeting of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment not too long ago, at which I and others were trying to convince certain people of the importance of the plan. It is great that members of all parties and none are advocating for the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will revert to the Deputy on that issue, if that is okay. I am sure all present are acutely aware of the importance of the acceleration process. We all wish to hear any updates in that regard. I have just received confirmation that discussions are ongoing with NBI regarding other operators trying to fill in the gap.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the issue of my engagement on the aviation sector, there are two processes going on. One is with the national civil aviation development forum, which I referenced earlier. The CEOs of the airlines and the airports are represented on that body. The second group is the LEEF, which I chair and which is attended by delegations from ICTU and IBEC. Several issues were raised at the LEEF...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will get more detail for the Deputy on that issue. Briefly, there is significant engagement with Revenue. What we were trying to do before 1 January was to send the message to businesses, including exporters and importers, that they should engage with Revenue. Those that do so will get assistance and be held by the hand and brought through the online system for getting their goods...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Will the Chairman tell me again which programme he is referring to? I will just get the specific programme because I do not have it to hand. The Chairman might wish to ask another question while I am getting those documents.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am just finding that information in my folder here.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The programme in question relates to Covid-19-related facilities. Was the Chairman referring to the office premises expenses?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Those are facilities costs. I will get the Chairman a further breakdown, if that is okay. I do not have the details here.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: They are facilities costs due to Covid and that is why there was an increase. I will get the Chairman a breakdown and further detail on that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (30 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am getting that information for the Chairman.