Results 5,961-5,980 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As signalled since the publication of the report, The Implications of Brexit on the Use of the Landbridge, by the Irish Maritime Development Office, IMDO, in 2018, it has been a matter of continuing concern that there is likely to be disruption to access to the British land bridge when customs and border controls between the EU and the UK are introduced at the end of the year. Since the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: In regard to the IMDO report, it is important to note that its analysis took account of the capacity across the ro-ro network and on services between Ireland and continental Europe. As recently as last week, Stena Line and Irish Ferries both indicated that they will be putting on a daily direct service from January. Indeed, they have been responding to demand throughout the pandemic and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As we move towards the end of the Brexit transition period, there is a lot of engagement happening at a cross-departmental level, incorporating Dublin Port, the Office of Public Works, Revenue and my Department, to ensure we are as well prepared as possible. A huge amount of work has gone into this over the past number of years. There have been many campaigns aimed at preparing businesses,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The RSA is working to expand that capacity. The authority is working with its providers to see how it can do just exactly what the Deputy has outlined in regarding to extending weekend hours, overtime, the recruitment of additional staff as well as extending the postal service. It will need that extra capacity in terms of resources, but, at the same time, the throughput at the testing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is an operational matter for the RSA, but I hear the concerns of the Deputy, loud and clear. I know that in normal times, not just driving instructors, but somebody accompanying the learner driver doing their test, would normally be facilitated to wait in the waiting room in the driving test centres. However, these are not normal times. I take on board the Deputy's concerns in this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Maybe there is and we can look at that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Covid-19 has created difficulties for many public services, including the National Driver Licensing Service, NDLS and the driver testing service, which are provided by the Road Safety Authority. Closures during the initial lockdown earlier this year led inevitably to backlogs, while restrictions on the services, which are necessary in the interests of public health, have reduced capacity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The plan for living with Covid-19 and the Government decision of 20 October both 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 testing regime envisaged under the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Deputy O'Rourke is aware, we are listening to the advice of NPHET at the moment. We are at level 5. We have aligned ourselves with the EU traffic-light approach. People who come to this country from a red-list country will be asked to restrict their movements for 14 days. After five days, they can avail of PCR tests here. Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports and the private sector will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Deputy O'Rourke raises a very valid point. Whatever we do at national level with the health protocols, there is a level of responsibility on anyone who is planning to travel here for essential work or who is returning home for Christmas to visit family, relatives and friends. It is in our interests to ensure that we act responsibly, that such persons take a PCR test in advance if they are...

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...