Results 3,861-3,880 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not oppose the amendments. I am quite sure the judgment stated that a legislative change was not needed to give to the ruling and that the State should get on with it. I support the move to the master licence record, but there is an opportunity to go further. There are anomalous situations whereby, for example, a vehicle can be sold to a child who does not have licence. I raised,...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to speak on amendment No. 69 and the design of traffic signage. I want to speak specifically on the bilingual nature of much of our road signage and the prominence given to the English language. I engaged on this for years as a member of a local authority. I have had any amount of challenges with regard to road signage. Companies in my constituency deliver road signs for the whole...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is my question as well because it was not entirely clear from the briefing note. For talk's sake, say pre- and post-, is it the case that "fit and proper" list that I think is there for taxi drivers is being brought in in totality, as in, it has not been there before for driving instructors and will be now?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Okay. There is a second piece then on a specific anomaly that was there, based on the briefing note, regarding a particular sexual offence that was categorised as a temporary ban and now needs to be made a lifetime ban. Is that the correct interpretation and was that already there or what is the provision to be?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Would that then be a new "fit and proper" provision that then would apply to taxi drivers and those others who are already-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is the way that would work. Okay. I thank the Minister for that clarification. I reserve the right to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage when we have time to scrutinise that potential provision.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to pick up on a point raised by Deputy Matthews. We probably will not have the opportunity to look at this again despite the fact this committee had extensive hearings on these issues and had pre-legislative scrutiny with this sector and the sharing scheme sector where we heard concerns across the board about the implementation of this move. There is a recognition this is happening...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister might give us an update on the engagement in this regard. I presume everything that is being proposed here has been run by the Data Protection Commissioner or the Attorney General for compliance with GDPR. There is always a concern in regard to data gathering. The Minister might give us a sense of how we have come to this position and if he is satisfied this legislation will...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I support Deputy Leddin's point. I have a sense of the intent but, all things considered, I am concerned about the possible interpretation of the text, particularly in the context of current goings-on at An Bord Pleanála. I suggest that it requires a second reading at the very least. It is something we will look at before Report Stage and we may bring forward amendments but I ask the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will come back on that. It is still my read of section 45 that it gives significant power to An Bord Pleanála. To be honest, I thought this was one of the pieces that was going to be substantially amended between Second Stage and Committee Stage. I will again raise a concern about the potential for unintended consequences. I suggest the Minister consider the various perspectives...

Our Lady's Hospital Navan Emergency Services: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. The HSE's plan is very clear, and it was spelled out in black and white, but it is just a plan. This is surprising because it has had 13 years to prepare it: nine years if one starts the clock from the small hospital framework. We are still none the wiser as to the Government's plan, and this includes the Minister's amendment here tonight....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (21 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi vehicles currently registered which will be affected by the ten year vehicle age limit between now and 1 January 2023 and between now and 31 December 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32386/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (21 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of Ballisodare train station; if he has any plans to reopen the station; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the station is in extensive disrepair and is causing concern that someone will be injured as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32528/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (21 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 173. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has examined reducing VAT on imported electric vehicles; the estimated annual cost of reducing VAT on EVs to the lowest possible level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32389/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (21 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 567. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is policy to obtain an independent valuation of a school property in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32385/22]

Emissions in the Transport Sector Report: Motion (16 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and report. I thank the previous speakers, the Chair and the Minister of State for being here. I also thank the witnesses, the committee secretariat and the committee members for their input to the process. We know that the current emissions situation is not good. After a fall in emissions in 2020, we are back to business as usual and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (16 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I will leave the following with the Minister of State. He did not come back to me on the opportunity, if any, to speed these things up and move more quickly. To bring that Q4 of 2024 back to mid 2024 or late 2023 would make a significant difference. I made points on the contingency, the response, the supports for vulnerable customers and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (16 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue, which is of deep concern to residents in Ratoath, as the Minister of State might imagine. There are regular outages there; we had in the region of six significant outages this year and many more instances of low pressure and everything that goes with that in the return, dirty water and the service being unavailable for a period of time....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: On Monday, Oireachtas Members from County Meath heard that the HSE intends to move imminently into the final stages of implementation, as it calls it, at Navan hospital. By September, the HSE intends to close all intensive care unit beds in the hospital and to close the emergency department and replace it with a medical assessment unit. This clear intention was restated yesterday at a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycling Policy (16 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 62. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has plans to expand the bike-to-work scheme to ensure that students, pensioners and those on social welfare payments can access the same benefit that this scheme delivers for PAYE workers; if he is working with colleagues in the Departments of Transport and Public Expenditure and Reform on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30742/22]