Results 5,161-5,180 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: At the request of the Department, the RSA is working on a plan to roll out an online driver theory test service. This has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses during the months of December and January. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test customers during 2021. There will be a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Driver Theory Test (DTT) was not deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service has been closed since late December 2020. In-person services will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Announcements made by An Taoiseach on the 23rd of February confirmed that level 5 restrictions are set to continue until the 5th of April, at which point the situation will be reviewed. As before, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons under these restrictions, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: At the request of my Department, the RSA in collaboration with the Driver Theory Test service provider, are working on a plan to rollout an online driver theory test service. During the pilot phase, remote testing will be available for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB, CPCT). Following a review of the pilot phase, the RSA expect the initiative to be extended...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Passenger Data (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 168 together. The statistics compiled by my Department are published and available on the Department's website. The Statistics are gathered with the assistance of the Airport Authorities, who have no power or jurisdiction to gather data on passenger movements. The Aviation statistics only take account of the passengers arriving on direct flights and do...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 16 February, the Government approved proposals which I brought forward to legislate to deal with the anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles. This legislation will be brought forward by way of amendments at committee stage to the forthcoming Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The timing of the introduction of these proposals is therefore dependent on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A further extension to the validity of learner permits is currently being considered. A decision will be made shortly. Certificates of competency, which are issued when a person passes are driving test, are meant to be submitted with an application for a person's first full driving licence. They are valid for two years. While regulations were brought in to extend the validity period of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The extensions provided for under Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/267 in relation to driver CPC qualification cards and periodic training will be implemented from 6th March. Previous extensions to test due dates for Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Tests (CVRT) were granted as a direct result of the suspension to the CVRT roadworthiness testing service from 25 March 2020 to 18 May...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Mar 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. My Department is currently considering proposals from the Road Safety Authority to extend the validity period of IBT certificates.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to make you aware that the operation of the tests is handled by the RSA. My Department does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases. 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: Brexit Issues (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department received clarification in late November 2020 from the European Commission that holders of a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (TM CPC) issued by a competent authority in the UK could request a corresponding CPC from the competent authority in the Member State where they live or where the road transport operator employing them is established, as long as the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: At the request of my Department, the RSA in collaboration with the Driver Theory Test service provider, are working on a plan to rollout an online driver theory test service. During the pilot phase, remote testing will be available for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB, CPCT). Following a review of the pilot phase, the RSA expect the initiative to be extended...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Aviation): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am grateful to be invited to the Seanad this afternoon. I am pleased to speak to the House on the impacts of Covid-19 on aviation. As the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has spoken about plans to introduce mandatory quarantine for international travellers, I will not address that matter but I am happy to speak further on it in my closing remarks if that is required. The aviation sector has...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Aviation): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank all the Senators who made a contribution here today on this critical issue. I really appreciate the Senators' comments. I have heard their concerns loud and clear. On mandatory quarantine, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, outlined earlier today that the Government has introduced a Bill to provide for mandatory quarantine in hotels for travellers arriving in Ireland from certain...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including those in the aviation sector. The supports include the wage subsidy scheme, alleviation of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme. As regards supports specifically targeted at the protection of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The aviation sector is one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with all airlines seeing a severe depletion of revenue and facing various degrees of financial challenge. The knock-on implications for our airports have also been severe. My officials and I have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout this crisis, and Government has put in place a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (25 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5. As a consequence, the service is closed while Level 5 restrictions remain in place. Candidates who have a theory test scheduled up to 5th March will be contacted via email with a rescheduled appointment. The service will remain closed until at least the 05 March. While I fully appreciate the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (25 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. 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 (25 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My predecessor raised the penalty for parking in a disabled bay without displaying a valid permit from €80 to €150 in March 2018. While I cannot condone the selfish and irresponsible practice of a certain cohort of motorists parking unlawfully in disabled bays, I believe that the current level of penalty is proportional to the offence, and I have no plans to increase it at this time.