Results 5,661-5,680 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: When my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, addressed the House yesterday, he outlined the planned investment of €3.5 billion to fund projects and programmes under the Department's transport remit in 2021. An increase of €617 million, or 33%, in capital will allow the Department to continue with its investment in capital expenditure under the national...

Seanad: Shannon Group: Motion (14 Oct 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I apologise for having to leave the session early, as the Acting Chairman said I must attend a Cabinet meeting. While I have had the opportunity in recent weeks to update the House on aviation matters in general and what the Government is doing to support Irish aviation during this unprecedented crisis, I welcome the opportunity to discuss how the pandemic has affected Shannon Group....

Seanad: Aviation Industry: Statements (1 Oct 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am delighted to be here today as it is my first time to address the Seanad since I served as a Senator. I wish all Members who have this great honour of serving here well. I am delighted to have the opportunity to update the House on aviation matters in general and on what the Government is doing to support Irish aviation during this unprecedented crisis.As an island nation, Ireland is...

Seanad: Aviation Industry: Statements (1 Oct 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Senators for their contributions. I am acutely aware of the challenges and pressures for the airlines, the airports and those thousands of people working in the industry across the country, not to mention our reliance as an island nation on foreign direct investment and on ensuring we maintain connectivity. The Senators can be assured that the Government and my Department are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Policy (30 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Acting Chairman and both Senators for raising this very important issue. I appreciate the enormous challenges facing Irish aviation at the moment. The industry has already weathered a prolonged period of significantly reduced demand which has affected the many people employed in the aviation industry throughout the country.Ireland's economic well-being is closely linked to our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Policy (30 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Global civil aviation is facing its most challenging crisis ever and a range of forecasts across the airline sector do not anticipate global capacity returning to 2019 levels before 2023 or 2024. When aviation might resume in a meaningful way is clearly linked to the evolution of the coronavirus, ongoing travel restrictions and advisories, as well as the more general economic outlook. In...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (29 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 199 together. I am aware of the concerns of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU), which were raised in the course of a meeting with me on 17 September. The IPU has indicated that it will publish a report on the matter this week, which will then be considered by the Department. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: On testing, it is important that we align ourselves broadly with Europe. The European proposal is a Commission recommendation for Council consideration on 13 October for adoption as a Council recommendation. The proposal is being dealt with under the interior and home affairs branch of the Commission. Initial indications from the Irish permanent representation are that this will be a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As a result of Covid-19, the challenge facing the aviation industry is unprecedented, and Irish airports have been fully exposed to the dramatic downturn in activity. I absolutely appreciate the effects that this could have on the long-term economic viability of airports, particularly smaller aviation enterprises like Ireland West Airport Knock. The Government is committed to doing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am also aware of the importance of our regional airports and ensuring that we maintain that connectivity. I have visited Knock Airport and have had meetings with all the airports since my appointment. I am acutely aware of the pressures they and their staff are under and the great work and difficult decisions that many regional airports have had to make over recent weeks and months. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: There was funding for capital investment. A process will also open up for regional airports to access operational support under the Government's regional airports programme. Historically, Ireland West Airport Knock has been well supported by Government-backed programmes. Last year it received €9.4 million in Exchequer funding. This year, I intend to bring forward a regional...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government's approach to international travel to date has sought to protect public health and contain the disease while respecting that in certain circumstances travel will be essential. Under the plan for living with Covid-19, it is proposed that Ireland will broadly support the European Commission proposals on a co-ordinated approach to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yesterday, I met the CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority, Mr. Dalton Philips, to discuss the potential of testing at our airports. 11 o’clock The DAA is exploring options for Covid testing involving modelling against a possible new approach to international travel requirements in line with the European co-ordinated approach to help assess the possible business and public health...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to thank the Deputy for her question. I appreciate that the challenges facing Irish aviation are having a real impact on many of her constituents, given the employment in North Dublin, especially, provided by Dublin Airport and by all of the ancillary businesses serving the airport. Ireland’s long term economic wellbeing is closely linked to our global connectivity. Being...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Motor tax legislation provides for refunds in certain limited circumstances, including where a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed, permanently exported, stolen and not recovered, or where the owner of a vehicle has ceased to use the vehicle because of illness, injury or other physical disability, or due to absence from the State for business purposes, educational purposes or service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I recognise and welcome the valuable work that road haulage and transport operators have undertaken in the area of decarbonisation to date. I have been particularly encouraged by how well road haulage operators have streamlined operations and promoted working time, fleet and fuel efficiencies across the industry. Transport operators have shown a commitment to reducing emissions and have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 50 together. Ireland, as an island nation, is particularly dependant on air and sea connectivity both socially and economically, and both the aviation and maritime sectors play a critical role in this regard. Measures implemented with regard to travel restrictions, due to Covid-19, are decided by Government as a whole, based on public health...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Cork Airport. I am aware of the challenges that Cork Airport and indeed that all of our airports are currently facing and will continue to face over the coming months as the country adjusts to the new reality of living alongside Covid-19. As the Deputy is aware, Cork Airport is an autonomous business unit within the daa....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Airport. I am aware of the challenges that Shannon Airport and indeed all of our airports are currently facing and will continue to face over the coming months as the country adjusts to the new reality of living alongside Covid-19. As the Deputy is aware, Shannon Airport is part of Shannon Group. Myself and my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (24 Sep 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware that Covid 19 has had a devastating and sudden impact on daa’s business and can confirm to the Deputy that both I and Minister Eamon Ryan have engaged with daa Senior Management, including its Chief Executive Officer, with regard to the challenges facing the Group. In order to assist businesses and further protect employment, the Government has put in place a...