Results 221-240 of 28,135 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Programme (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I genuinely thank the Deputy for his support for this force. If we can work together in a collegiate way across the House, we will be able to advance the legislation quicker. We will need a fair wind to be able to have it all passed by next year and have recruitment for the force in place. It will have to be rolled out on a phased basis. It is my earnest desire to have the force in place...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: We are working with the sector, communities and the public. We had a lot of engagement on-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Hold on a second. Deputy O'Gorman knows there are regulations in place. They are EU regulations. The IAA is charged with-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: There are regulations. The Deputy has stated on the record of the House that there are no regulations. That is not true. It is incorrect. That might work at a public meeting he is at or hosting with Deputy Coppinger to try to drum up further discontent. Undoubtedly, there are people impacted by it and that is why we need to ensure that there are proper designated zones and proper...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. She will be aware that such a route is planned to be introduced as part of BusConnects, which is the largest-ever investment programme in the bus system in the history of the State, funded by the Government on behalf of our citizens and managed by the NTA. Since its commencement in 2021, BusConnects Dublin has seen over 100 new double-decker electric buses enter into...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I look forward to working with the Deputy in the coming weeks and months on our further plans to create more employment in the airport. As the Deputy knows, it is important that the people in my area and hers have good paying jobs to support their families and quality of life. There is no padded-out answer here. I am putting things in context because there is a lot happening with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I will take on board the suggestion she made on the W4 route to the airport in the interim. I have given her the best answer I can in regard to the N8 route. There are lots of good things happening all across Dublin in regard to public transport and we want to build on the progress that has been made over the past five years, no less so in Dublin 15. I will not again...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Programme (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his support for this initiative. It is important we ensure there is safety on our public transport network right across the country. I want to assure him that we are actively progressing the legislative proposals required to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to establish that transport security force. I have worked very closely with the NTA. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A Massey Ferguson.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy O'Gorman. He has indeed raised this matter here before. I launched the National Policy Framework on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, on 20 August 2025, making Ireland one of the first European Union member states to publish a dedicated policy in relation to drones. The policy framework aims to guide high-level strategic planning for, and the development of, the UAS...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I know the Deputy's area very well. We have adjacent constituencies. I have spoken to many people in the Blanchardstown-Castleknock area. There has been a change. Many deliveries are being made by drone that would have been made by car, van and other methods. That is another consideration and something to think about. Do we want more traffic or do we want drones? We have to manage that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Nothing is right with Deputy Coppinger. She suffers everything.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The reality is that this is an emerging sector. It is in its infancy. We can be at the leading edge of innovation in this sector. To answer the Deputy's question directly, the implementation of this framework is the whole purpose of the monitoring group. We have to start from somewhere. We are one of the first countries, if not the first, to publish such a framework document. It will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have said I will take cognisance of this and, in fairness, Deputy Connolly has raised it previously. Certainly it is something on which I will revert with regard to what other measures can be taken in the interim. We are doing work on the commuter rail network as Deputy Connolly knows. Significant work is being done at Ceannt Station, Oranmore Station and other stations. I take Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Not being flippant but I also saw some really good shops in Heuston Station, and good work has been done at stations throughout the network whereby people can buy a drink, a bottle of water or a cup of tea. Having said this, to be fair-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: What was that?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I will answer Deputy Daly. This is an issue he has raised previously with regard to when catering services will be rolled out again. I completely understand people's wish to see services return on all rail lines. However, if there is a choice between the taxpayer funding actual rail services or catering services on trains I am clear, as I have been previously, that taxpayer funding is best...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To answer Deputy Daly's question, I have encouraged Iarnród Éireann and the NTA to explore other avenues to support the wider reintroduction of catering services. I was honest with Deputy Daly about the costs. If the NTA were to award a contract at four times the cost of what operated prior to Covid, questions would rightly be asked about it. I have asked the NTA and Iarnród...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I know.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I do get the point. A number of our rail cars and rail lines have the facilities on the trains. I have looked, and I have asked Iarnród Éireann and the NTA to explore other options, including the option Deputy Daly has articulated here today. I am hopeful this will bear fruit shortly. Deputy Daly has asked this question regularly, as have Government colleagues. I understand the...