Results 141-160 of 1,007 for at speaker:James Lawless

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Safety (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: I hear what the Deputy is saying. He stated that local authorities could not get funding from the Government. I want to hear about that if it is the case. I am surprised to hear it, as there has been a significant allocation. Some €658 million was allocated in the past year, 90% of which was directed towards maintenance and renewal work. That allocation was a €32 million...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2019 the then Government gave an approval in principle of an expression of support for an expansion proposal at Waterford Airport and to providing Exchequer funding of €5m towards a runway extension project. The project was then estimated to cost €12m and the €5m Government support being sought at that time was not only contingent on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 45 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. The national average estimated waiting time for a car driving test invitation is 15.6 weeks for a new applicant. While this is still above the service level agreement target of 10 weeks,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: As an island nation, aviation plays a crucial role in our economy and society. The National Aviation Policy (“NAP”) published in August 2015, established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector. The NAP was designed to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: The Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, which was published in December 2021, has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade and achieving Vision Zero by 2050. Vision Zero has been adopted across the EU and aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The strategy is currently in Phase 1, which runs to the end of 2024,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the specific information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. The driver testing service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (4 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: The Department of Transport is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) building programme, which aims to ensure that Coast Guard stations along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through the Office of Public Works (OPW), from planning and design to build and on-going maintenance. The Cleggan Unit are on the priority list for the IRCG Building Programme. In...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: I thank both Deputies for their kind wishes. I appreciate them. In response to Deputy Sherlock, John, Billy and Auntie Alice O'Brien and all the Mitchelstown clan are very proud indeed of my appointment. I thank him for acknowledging them. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on this matter. I have not had sight of the response the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: April and June 2024 are after 2023, not to state the obvious, so there has obviously been some progress in that time at least.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: That is since June 2024, when the question was received from An Post. I hear the Members' points. I am not abreast of the issue of the class D PRSI contributions, but perhaps the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, could advise on that issue, which was raised by Deputy Duncan Smith. I understand there are frustrations and I share the Deputies' admiration of the post...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Airport Policy (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy. A couple of matters arise. He characterised this as not quite a six-year delay, but a five-year delay from 2019 to 2024. It is fairer to say that it is a six-month engagement, given that a business proposal was received by the Department in December 2023. Elements were missing from that, which required revisiting in April 2024 and further information was received at...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Airport Policy (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for his Topical Issue. As the new Minister of State at the Department of Transport since last Thursday, I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the House on this matter and engage on the Deputy's issue. The matter is as close to the Minister of State's, Deputy Butler's, heart as to the Deputy's and is of interest to the south-east region, public representatives...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: Motor tax is charged in accordance with the law and the rates are a Budgetary matter for the Minister for Finance. In relation to motor tax paid for 3 months or 6 months the charges are set out in S.I. No. 385/1992, as amended. Regulation 26(1) of that S.I. reads as follows: 26 (1) A licence may be taken out under section 1 of the Act of 1952 for a period of three months or six months...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jul 2024)

James Lawless: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes driver tester allocation. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is There are currently two driver testers allocated to Cavan. While a driver...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Union (27 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: 7. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on exchange of views on the western Balkans at the June 2024 EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27277/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Union (27 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: I appreciate that it is a delicate balance and that there is a degree of carrot and stick involved. Much as we want to reach out and reward those democratic initiatives that are in play in Serbia, elections which were questionable were contested before Christmas. Looking beyond the Balkans, places like Belarus have democratic oppositions that are in exile. Moldova is less problematic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: 17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the informal exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba at the June EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27276/24]

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil (19 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: This is what I alluded to in my speech a few minutes ago. I am a bit like Deputy Ó Laoghaire; I am indifferent and neutral on this. If the Chief Whip says there should be more time afforded to the debate, I am all for that. At committee, we afforded more time. The time petered out and Deputies did not offer to contribute, so naturally the debate ran to a close. I want to be clear on...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: I will speak primarily as Chair of the justice committee, where this pact went through not long ago. On the procedural aspect, I have heard a constant refrain from many Deputies that not enough time was allowed to debate the matter. I heard the Taoiseach say yesterday on the Order of Business that every Member who wanted to speak on the matter or contribute to it would be permitted to do...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (Resumed) (19 Jun 2024)

James Lawless: I might need one to keep up with you, although that might be to your credit, given you are a busy man, as I know. I do not want to personalise this, but I do want to rebut very strongly any Member suggesting there was not adequate time, which is completely incorrect. On another point, this is not by any means the end of the debate on the pact. The next Dáil might feature a...