Results 1,881-1,900 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have referred this question to the Authority for reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within 10 days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Qualifications Recognition (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I understand that previously driving instructors received a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 6 Certification on passing the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) tests conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) which are necessary to become a driving instructor. The NFQ system is operated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) which is the State Agency with the role of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 207, inclusive, together. The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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: Vehicle Testing (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Excessive noise and exhaust emissions from vehicles can have a negative effect on public health, wellbeing and quality of life. I would reassure the Deputy that there is a robust suite of legislation in place in Ireland to regulate against the improper maintenance and upkeep of vehicle exhaust systems.  Under Section 29 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Use and Equipment of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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: National Car Test (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS). I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. Minister Ryan and I am very aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet demand and the delays which vehicle owners have encountered since the start of this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am delighted to be with the committee today at a time when our Covid days are, thankfully, behind us and the aviation industry has bounced back faster and stronger than any of us might have anticipated this time last year. As recognised in the current national aviation policy, our three State airports provide essential infrastructure and services to support our economic and social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: There is a real effort to get this over the line. It is absolutely critical that these heritage sites are transferred to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As the Deputy is aware, an interdepartmental group was set up and held a considerable number of meetings. Extensive engagement is taking place on this matter. I discussed it as recently as this morning with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Everything that can be done is being done. I know the Ministers are engaging on this to get it over the line.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yes, I can. We engage extensively with all our regional airports on improving connectivity. That is part of the reason I opened up the mid-term view of the regional airports programme. The application from Shannon Airport is with the Department. I know members of the committee visited Schiphol Airport with regard to PSOs there. I wish to ensure Shannon Airport and the mid-west grow and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: From the Government's perspective, this transfer is critical for the long-term viability of these heritage sites. I know I sound like I am repeating myself, but a great deal of work has been done and it is ongoing. We know the pressures that exist and I am acutely aware of them, as I know Shannon Airport is. A great deal of work has been done on this matter in the last two years, never...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: All of this input from stakeholders, including from airlines and airports, needs to feed into the mid-term review. The door is open regarding what we need to do to drive more traffic into the regions. That is clear. On PSOs, it is important to state, as the Minister said, that Ireland has always taken a liberal approach to our aviation policy. The EU's single aviation market is fully...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Whether we are talking about Frankfurt Airport or elsewhere, we must work through state aid. The door is open in this regard. This is why it is important to have public consultations to ensure airlines can feed into this process. We often forget this point. Being in the Department of Transport and having responsibility for aviation also means that we sometimes forget the importance of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have been meeting with senior management in Dublin Airport.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: During that engagement, I emphasised that the excessive delays and queuing times experienced by passengers earlier this summer cannot be repeated. The Department and I are getting updates on that. The evidence I am looking for is the safe movement of passengers through security so they can get their flights, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. Last Saturday and Sunday, 100% of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I agree. I regularly use Shannon Airport. It provides a fantastic service and the staff do incredible work. The passenger numbers at the airport have increased significantly this past year. There are transatlantic flights and extra connectivity through Ryanair. It has grown from strength to strength. It shows the work that has been done. Much of this was on foot of coming out of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Carey. As I said to colleagues previously, the political will is there to get this transferred as quickly as possible. A great deal of work has been done in the Department of Transport. An interdepartmental group was established with the Department of Transport, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the OPW and the Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: That is my hope.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Absolutely.