Results 381-400 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: With regard to grid connection, I do not know of any housing development that has been refused a grid connection. That is the first thing. It is a different thing.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: We have seen a significant increase in housing output over the last four years. The human resources and capacity are needed to be able to deal with that. There have been instances where there have been delays with connections, but not extensive ones. Where they happen, they need to be addressed and dealt with.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I agree with his point regarding data centres. Ireland has done well. Other countries see this as a success in FDI. We have a footprint that has to be managed. That is why the large energy user policy, which the CRU will produce, will be important. It will set a plan-led way forward. That is what we need to do. Management is needed, which is understood within the...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The policy decision of the previous Government was set aside to permit us to move forward with the FSRU. Let us be clear about that. I said that in the Dáil in answers to questions from Deputies and was very open about it. The other aspect of that is my predecessor took a position on an existing planning application relating to fracked gas. The legal advice provided, which I have...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: PR6 investment is not just for enterprise or for data centres. That is for grid investment over a five-year period.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It is factored in 21% to 30%. That is with existing connections. Obviously, we are doing other things through the NDP to accelerate further grid investment. That is a matter for discussion right now between my Department, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and myself, so we are working that through.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: PR6, as Deputy Whitmore rightly stated, outlines what that is grounded on - development over this five-year period. That is very clear over the five-year period. On the data centre side, it deals with those with existing connections. We have to look past that, because these projects - not just data centres but larger companies as well - will have a three-, five- to seven-year outlook as to...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the question. Anybody can put in a planning application in for anything in this country. It does not mean the application will be upheld. I am not the planning Minister. A corporation or organisation can put in a planning application. What I was focused on was energy security and dealing with the risk identified by two independent reports that stated there was a serious risk...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I would be happy to. Certainly, I will give the committee an update. I am looking through the options, so I will not repeat myself, but it is important the committee is informed. I really look forward to engaging and working with the committee as we work through policy areas. When I see big policy areas, such as marine protected areas, that in itself linked with DMAPs could constitute one...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: District heating is a proven technology that can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the heat sector. District heating schemes are generally of a larger scale, supplying heat to a range of buildings that can include public, commercial and/or residential buildings. Group heating schemes are smaller-scale operations typically involving single...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Delivery of the Government's target of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenous biomethane per annum by 2030 for use within our energy system will have multiple cross-sectoral benefits for Ireland’s economy, energy security and emissions profile. As such, development of the industry will require a coherent and collaborative approach to policy implementation across all sectors including energy,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Regulations (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: This matter was dealt with as an 'AOB' item for information on an ongoing file at the recent meeting of Environment Council in Luxembourg. As an AOB item, it was not open for a broader discussion. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is leading Ireland's input on the proposal and I understand that as Ireland does not have a final position at this time, we have entered a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electric Vehicles (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Question relates to the policy area of Private Wires. I have recently answered a number of Parliamentary Questions on the topic of Private Wires including Dáil Questions Numbers 24 of 10 April, 135 of 22 May, and 20 of 11 June. This matter was also the subject of debate in the House recently. The position is unchanged and it is my intention to bring a policy document on Private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects. The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide for a transformative upgrade to the ticketing system for public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable mobility, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Details related to the operation of these schemes, including any related tender processes , are a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including in relation to core bus corridors in Dublin. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Regulation (EC) 261/2004 ("EU261") sets out common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding, cancellation or long delay of flights. While EU261 has provided important consumer protections to air passengers across the EU, there have been ongoing difficulties with the interpretation of the Regulation, with a large number of cases having been taken...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has commenced preparatory work on reviewing the National Aviation Policy 2015 with a goal of developing a new Policy. The review will update existing policy in response to developments in the aviation sector since 2015 and will also include a focus on regional airports development, in line with commitments made in the Programme for Government. There was extensive...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. I also have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure. The Programme for Government commits to reviewing and enhancing the National Development Plan (NDP) to deliver on existing strategically important...