Tag Archives: Paschal Donohoe

TWO Clare TDs have tackled the Finance Minister over the impending departure of two major banks from the Irish market.  Both Ulster Bank and KBC Bank are to close Irish operations, prompting concerns for tens of thousands of customers, especially those who are older and less likely to be able to avail of online switching services. Addressing Minister Paschal Donohoe, Deputy Michael McNamara accused the Department of Finance of facilitating an “emerging duopoly” in the banking sector.  “A local businessman said to me recently they [the banks] will do what they want and I had to correct him and say they are already doing what they want,” the Independent TD told a Dáil debate on policy and legislation. “In theory, we have supervision from the Central Bank, but in reality those two banks have been allowed to do what they want, and it will hurt rural economies. It is already hurting them. The supervision from the Central Bank is supposed …

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, has allocated €100,000 for the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann in Ennis this August. The allocation is part of Fáilte Ireland‘s national funding of just over €1.8 million for 23 key national festivals and events. Welcoming the news, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Pat Breen said the return of the Fleadh to Clare is a major boost.  During the 10-day event over 300,000 additional visitors are expected into the county as well as 4,000 competitors and 9,000 session musicians and it will generate €40 million in income for the local economy. “There was a 14% increase in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eleven months of 2015 and the most recent figures show that revenue in the sector has increased by 16% to €4.2 billion. A significant factor in this growth is the festivals and events on offer in all parts of the …

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on overseas travel shows an increase of 12.2% in visits to Ireland for the first seven months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe said, ‘I am pleased to welcome the statistics from the CSO which confirms the on-going strong performance in overseas visitors coming to Ireland. It is very encouraging that the growth in our overseas visitors is not confined to any particular region and all of our target overseas markets are performing exceptionally well.’ The latest CSO figures on Overseas Travel show: At 4,814,600 visits, overall trips to Ireland were up 12.2% in the first seven months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Visits from Mainland Europe grew by 12.7% for January to July 2015 (1,712,800 visits); North America registered an increase of 14.9% for January – July 2015 (857,100 visits); Visits from Great Britain were up by 11.1% for January – …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the gardaí have appealed to drivers, in the run up to the June Bank Holiday weekend to save lives by going easy on the accelerator. The organisations have asked drivers not only to reduce speed but to always drive at a speed appropriate to all the prevailing conditions. Over 70,000 speeding offences have already been detected in 2015. Nearly 80% of those detections were for speeds between 10 and 29 km/h over the posted speed limit. A further 10% were in excess of 30 km/h over the posted speed limit. Figures show that the June Bank Holiday has consistently been the starting point for what is traditionally the most dangerous period on Ireland’s roads – summertime. In the last five years, 256 people have died in June, July and August. Over the next three months it is possible therefore that 51 lives could be lost in crashes on the nation’s roads. Minister for Transport …

Clare TD Timmy Dooley has called on Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe to make the report on the sale of Aer Lingus available to appropriate Oireachtas Committee. It’s been confirmed that the Government has now received the expert report on the controversial proposed sale of the State airline and any sale would require the backing of the Dáil. Deputy Dooley, the Fianna Fáil transport spokesman, explained, “The disposal of the State’s shares in a company must receive the support of the Dáil. For that reason, it is only right that public representatives from all sides are given the opportunity to examine the expert advice on hand. “The Oireachtas Transport Committee has held numerous discussions on this issue and has met and questioned all stakeholders involved in a possible sale of Aer Lingus. It is only right that the Committee, which has representatives from all parties as well as independents, would receive a copy of the report without further delay.”

Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe has announced the commencement of a major review of the system for regulating airport charges in Ireland. This proved to be a bone of contention for Shannon Airport, where Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary pulled the plug when there was no budge on charges but returned immediately when granted the concession he demanded. Following a procurement process, which attracted bids from a number of Irish and international consultancy firms, Indecon International Economic Consultants have been awarded the contract to conduct the review, which will commence immediately and be completed before the end of the year. The review will involve full consultation with impacted stakeholders and will deliver options and recommendations for the future of airport charges in Ireland. The Minister said he considers it appropriate and timely to carry out a comprehensive review of the airport charges regulatory regime at this time. The current system for regulating airport charges has been in place since 2001. It is intended …

Tourism Minister, Paschal Donohoe last night (Friday) presented a specially commissioned trophy to Shannon Airport for “Best International Access Initiative” at the first ever Irish Tourism Industry Awards. This is an inaugural national scheme identifying those who are making major difference in the tourism industry. Designed with the intention of rewarding innovation in tourism, significant initiatives at home and overseas and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience, the Irish Tourism Industry Awards ultimately identified Shannon Airport as a worthy winner from a very strong field of over 330 entries. Since its independence in January 2013, Shannon Airport has delivered significant growth in air services and visitors to the West of Ireland, becoming the fastest growing airport in Ireland. It welcomed 3,200 additional scheduled flights in 2014, with 12 new routes, while visitors arriving on direct flights into Shannon generated over €286m in tourism spend from 2013-2014. The awards were organised by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC), …

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has published a new document, the aim of which is to provide advice and guidance to those charged with responsibility for imposing speed limits. Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits will also ensure that greater consistency is applied where speed limits are concerned. The guidelines provide for the introduction of new road signage to deal with speed limits in rural areas on minor local roads and for the implementation of new urban ‘Slow Zones’ in residential areas to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h. Minister Donohoe said, “Speed limits should not be seen by drivers as setting a target speed, or as being appropriate in all conditions, nor are they intended to be. Drivers must, take responsibility to drive at a safe speed appropriate to the particular road and surrounding environment, while not exceeding the posted speed limit’. “The purpose of the guidelines is to provide advice and guidance to local authority engineers, and …