Results 5,581-5,600 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department is in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services, and how they can best be maintained in the current circumstances. As you are aware, car driving tests were first temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 in March 2020 and since resuming operations in mid-July, there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 19, 59 and 76 together. The Plan for Living with Covid-19 and Government decisions affirm that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. In light of this any testing for international travel will need to draw on resources from the private sector which are not being accessed by the HSE. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 90 together. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has issued various blanket exemptions for existing licensed pilots in line with the European Union Aviaton Safety Agency (EASA) recommendations, subject to a detailed safety review and implementation of mitigating measures. These initial exemptions were detailed in IAA Aeronautical Notices P30 and P33...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As a consequence of Brexit, additional infrastructure will be required for customs, SPS and health checks and controls at our ports and airport. Since 2018, detailed work has been underway across Government, led by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to invest in the infrastructure, systems, and staffing required for additional checks and controls for trade with Great Britain...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 41 and 65 together. As you may know, the Irish Aviation Authority currently operates under a dual mandate, within which it provides air traffic management services on a commercial basis to the aviation industry and is also the safety and security regulator of that same industry. Under this dual mandate, the IAA also regulates some of its own...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice. Due to the additional hygiene and sanitation procedures that are now absolutely necessary, each testing slot now takes a much longer time to complete. As a result, the number of tests a tester can safely conduct per day was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: First-time learner permit holders must wait six months after the date of issue of their permit before they can sit their driving test. I will not be making any exceptions to this requirement. As part of the learning process, the 6 month rule for first time permit holders is designed to give the learner driver the opportunity to gain the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority in consultation with the Theory Test service provider, and one in which I have no role. However, as I understand, following the closure of the Driver Theory Test service under level 5 restrictions, all appointments during this six week period have been rescheduled to the next available...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Specific details on individual theory test centres are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under level 5, and I will not be looking for this decision to be reconsidered. People who get a theory test will then need to go and get a learner permit so they can commence driving as accompanied...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), is working to expand the current online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications to enable accessibility online rather than by calling to an office. The necessary legislative amendments to facilitate the online system have been made and the regulations come into effect...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Training for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) is classroom based and legislation governing this training states that the training must take place in a Road Safety Authority (RSA) approved CPC training centre. There are no plans at present to amend this legislation. In addition, The RSA have noted that it would be difficult to quality assure an online training session...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department has requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to so. I understand that the Authority is developing proposals in that regard. However, this planning is at a very early stage and is not expected to come on stream in the immediate future.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: All driving licences that expired between 1 March and 31 August 2020 were extended for 7 months. There is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Cork Airport and to also refer him to my detailed reply to his question on Cork Airport on 29 September last. As previously outlined the Government has already put in place a suite of measures to assist businesses in facing the challenges of Covid-19. Airports and airlines have been able to avail of some of those measures,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport I very much share the view that parking on the footpath is a selfish and dangerous practice that puts vulnerable road users such as wheelchair users and parents with buggies at particular risk. Under Section 4 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for promoting public awareness of road safety matters. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I appreciate that there are costs involved in the process of learning to drive and obtaining a driving licence, most specifically in respect of insurance, test charges, and lesson fees. I believe, however, that these costs are not particularly high when measured against the cost of running a car in the long term. Nor is the cost of taking the driving test itself unreasonable when held against...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under the Road Safety Authorty Act, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the conduct of driving tests. The Road Safety Authority developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice. I am advised that the Authority is not considering the suspension of check tests under the protocols. It is worth...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test (11 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. My understanding is that the 36 figure refers to the number of extra driver testers who will be in place. I know how concerned many constituents are about this and while the service is limited during level 5 restrictions, the Road Safety Authority is examining ways of increasing the number of tests within the health constraints, with an eye on resuming the wider testing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test (11 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Funchion for raising this really important matter. The driver test service and the driver theory test are the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. The Department has been in constant contact with the RSA since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services and how they can best be maintained in the...

Regional Airports: Motion [Private Members] (11 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to this important discussion. The importance of the aviation industry in terms of its contribution to Ireland's GDP, foreign direct investment, FDI, and job creation cannot be understated. Aviation plays this vital role in facilitating economic growth, but on a human level it also links different cultures and peoples. The national...