Results 5,381-5,400 of 9,059 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under current level 5 restrictions, the Driver Theory Test has not been deemed by Government to be an essential service. As a consequence, the service is closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I regret the inconvenience caused, I think you will agree with me that this decision was necessary for public health reasons. It was decided, in a climate where only limited...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister is acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists. In order to create a statutory obligation on the wearing of reflective clothing, it would have to be made a criminal offence, under Road Traffic legislation, for any person not wearing high-visibility clothing. A person in breach of such a provision would fall to be issued with a fixed-charge notice or summonsed to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in Europe as well as Ireland, the extension of driving licences is currently under consideration at EU level. A decision on this issue is expected by early February. To renew your driving licence you are required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant must present in person at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under Regulation 3(b)(xi) of the Road Safety Authority Act (Conferral of Functions) Order (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the decision to issue an extension to end-of-series derogations is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask that the Deputy contact my office if a response has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in Europe as well as Ireland, the possible extension of driving licences is currently under consideration at EU level. A decision on this issue is expected shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Correspondence (27 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: While this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, I understand the RSA are experiencing some operating problems following the launch of their new Driving Test System and Customer Portal. This is due to exceptionally high levels of demand which in turn is increasing call volumes. My Department raised these problems with the RSA. We have been assured the technical issues are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The preparation of a new Strategy Statement is a matter for the Board and Management of An Post. There has been engagement with my officials on the matter in line with my Departments responsibilities under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. An Post has recently submitted a new draft Strategy for analysis and consideration by the shareholding Ministers.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The importance of the post office network has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic where we have seen a range of initiatives through our post offices which have helped support local communities, the elderly and vulnerable. The serious decline in mail volumes and the impact of Covid-19 on footfall through post offices has had a severe impact on the postal network and the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Measures (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy may be aware, electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (21 Jan 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: Driver Test (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Currently, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) does not facilitate on-line Driver CPC training. EU Directive 2003/59/EC which introduced Driver CPC was updated in 2018 by EU Directive 645 of 2018, and while the amended directive allows for the use of ICT tools such as e-learning and blended learning as part of CPC training, a substantial amount of the training will be required to be completed in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Tests (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government is engaged in contingency planning should a Covid testing service for truck drivers be required for those drivers travelling on journeys from Ireland to the continent, so that these drivers can meet evolving Covid entry requirements on the continent. Ireland is still advocating that all EU Member States should adhere to the Green Lanes recommendation that essential transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In advance of the end of the Brexit transition, my Department in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), undertook a major communications campaign urging business using the GB landbridge to consider a switch to direct routes which would avoid the new control regimes. This campaign was also supported by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Business Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in Europe as well as Ireland, the possible extension of driving licences is currently under consideration at EU level. A decision on this issue is expected by the end of January.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Specific details on waiting lists 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. My Department is in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority since the start of the pandemic regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (21 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The UK’s decision to leave the Single Market and Customs Union means that traders must now engage with a range of checks and controls on trade with Great Britain that did not previously apply. This is fundamentally impacting on many businesses in Ireland, including on the road haulage sector. These changes represent a considerable shock to existing supply chains and logistics...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Grant Payments (20 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 6 January 2021, the Government updated Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions. In line with the increased restrictions, construction closed from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with certain limited exceptions. SEAI supported retrofitting does not fall into one of the identified exceptions. On 8 January, SEAI updated its guidance to contractors to bring the new restrictions to their attention. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (20 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: At the current time the RSA does not facilitate on-line Driver CPC training. EU Directive 2003/59/EC which introduced Driver CPC was updated in 2018 (EU Directive 645 of 2018) and while the amended directive allows for the use of ICT tools such as e-learning and blended learning as part of CPC training, a substantial amount of the training will be required to be completed in an approved...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (20 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: There is no legal speed limit for powered wheelchairs, and I have no plans to legislate for a speed limit to be introduced.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance (20 Jan 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware that, under the current Level 5 circumstances, some people are experiencing unavoidable delays in renewing their driving licences. As you know, a person cannot drive legally without a licence or without insurance. My Department remains in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to the impact of Covid on its services, and consideration is currently...