Results 181-200 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the Ballymun to City Centre Core Bus Corridor. BusConnects is the NTA's plan to greatly improve bus services in all our cities....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA). New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant and the SPSV Driver Entry Test, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Strategies (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below is a list of all current national strategies, action plans or documents that may be described as such, which are currently in operation and under the remit of my Department. Aviation & Emergency Planning National Aviation Policy 2015 State Action Plan on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions from Aviation 2025 ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the 2018 Environmental Noise regulations (which implement the EU Environmental Noise Directive), local authorities are responsible for the noise mapping of the area under their jurisdiction, and the creation of a noise action plan to tackle harmful environmental noise. In the case of Weston Airport, I am informed that it has not been modelled as part of the South Dublin County...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Enforcement actions against breaches of noise nuisance regulation under Section 107 of the EPA Act 1992 are a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I am informed that the EPA compiles comparative statistics on local authority performance relating to environmental enforcement activity under the Recommended...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (15 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 to 340, inclusive, together. In relation to the detail being sought by the Deputy, I wish to advise that records are maintained by my Department for the period 2000-2025. Over this period, aviation supports totalling over €357 million have been provided to Irish airports, with additional funding to be drawn down throughout 2025. This funding has...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí. I thank Senators for the opportunity to engage with them on the topics of public transport and aviation. I am looking forward to their perspectives and input. I am confident that we all agree it is essential that the Government continue to invest in our public transport services and network and that we are supportive of the...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I would like that, too.

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Before anyone else speaks, the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is taking over for the second half of the debate. He is in the anteroom. I will be leaving.

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have taken notes and we will be responding.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The Energy Poverty Steering Group was established in August 2022 and has met 8 times formally as a group. The Steering Group has overseen implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan.  An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Energy Poverty Action Plan was published in May 2024 and is available...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The attached table provides provides the details requested as it relates to Departmental employees for legal study programmes in the last three years. My Department operates an Educational Support Policy and Procedure which provides refund/advance of staff fees and the provision of study leave in line with the relevant civil service circular (23/2007) DCEE staff can make a business case...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 155 and 157 together. My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These include the Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme through One Stop Shops; and the Solar PV Scheme. Between 2020 and the end of June 2025,...