Results 5,421-5,440 of 9,532 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would firstly seek to clarify to the Deputy that all Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out a periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. This is an essential safety check and an important road safety measure that provides for a reduction in road accidents by detecting defects such as faulty...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). 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: Aviation Policy (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Irish aviation sector is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis in its history. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels of activity. Traffic in 2020 was down around 80% on 2019, and revenue has fallen away dramatically as COVID-19 related restrictions on international travel continue to heavily constrain passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details on the number of theory tests that have been cancelled duringlevel 5 restrictions are held by 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 The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Commissioners of Irish Lights (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The lands are in the name of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. They are currently let on a conacre basis to local farmers. The current licences were offered for renewal on 1st March 2021 and will expire on 31st January 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (31 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: Driver Test (31 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Waiting list details are held by 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 The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions. The service will remain closed while level 5...

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 keep my statement brief and will even shorten what I have. Apologies for being late. I was at a Cabinet meeting.

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 Taoiseach will announce decisions of Cabinet at about 6 o'clock today. I will proceed with my opening statement. I thank committee members for the opportunity to present the 2021 Estimate for the Department of Transport and for programme A of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The set of transport Estimates before members provides an overall gross allocation...

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 will refer that matter to the Minister. On the Deputy's points on the uptake of electric vehicles, I agree that we need to make it more attractive for taxi drivers who are providing public transport services across the country and private car users. If we want to reduce emissions, electric vehicles will be a significant contributor to reaching our targets out to...

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. We are all very conscious in the Department and in any agencies under our remit that everyone should be vaccinated as quickly as possible. It is important that we are led by public health advice and politicians do not make decisions about who get vaccinated but are instead guided by NPHET and the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC. We are all concerned...

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 am very aware that there are a lot of pressures in a lot of different sectors within the public sector. School transport comes under the Department of Education; it does not come under this Department.

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. We are constantly engaging with the aviation industry, which has a direct effect on the issue he mentioned, namely, the Irish Hotels Federation, international travel and the reliance on tourism in the mid-west region and across the country. He outlined the supports that have been, and will continue to be, provided by Government. I reiterate that the Government has put...

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.