Results 581-600 of 26,162 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Coastal Protection (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: What if it was on public land?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Coastal Protection (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The commencement and progression of the minor works scheme at Inver, County Donegal, for which funding has been approved, is a matter for Donegal County Council. The money has been approved. I will ask the OPW officials to engage with Donegal County Council to see if there is any misunderstanding. The Government is developing a whole-of-government approach to the challenge of coastal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Heritage Sites (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The core point the Deputy raised about the legal situation and right of access is the kernel of the work being done by the Attorney General at the moment. Other aspects are being looked at, but that is a key element. I hope to have that. A significant body of work is also under way in the Attorney General's office with regard to the personnel and resources involved because we want to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Coastal Protection (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That was the clincher.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Coastal Protection (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this issue. I am very aware that the risk of coastal erosion has a significant impact on communities. In the first instance, coastal protection and localised flooding are matters for each local authority to investigate and address. The OPW provides support to local authorities through the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Heritage Sites (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I wish to acknowledge that we have three Deputies representing Kildare in the House: the Ceann Comhairle; Deputy Durkan who, as the Ceann Comhairle said, is relentless in his pursuit of this, and his concern is very genuine; and his constituency colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy James Lawless.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Heritage Sites (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I mentioned the Ceann Comhairle.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Heritage Sites (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: When I came into this role a relatively short time ago, I wanted to resolve the issue in Castletown. In doing so, I chaired the meetings in Castletown myself. We have held four meetings and a fifth will take place tomorrow. I intended holding a meeting on Tuesday but unfortunately I was the Minister of State on duty here that day and had to be here much earlier so I deferred the meeting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Heritage Sites (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. It continues to be the strategic objective of the OPW to reunite all of the lands of the former Castletown estate. The OPW remains open to negotiations with the landowners to purchase all or that part of the subject lands. In line with a commitment I gave to the working group, I met with the owners to discuss this further. Engagement between the OPW and the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (24 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. Following on from the severe flooding that occurred in winter 2015/2016, the Government’s flood risk policy was focussed on the development of the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and bringing forward policies and measures, informed by the CFRAM outputs, that could support individuals and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Issues (23 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works, (OPW), is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. Belmont Weir is on the Brosna River which forms part of the Brosna Arterial Drainage Scheme. The OPW are preparing the necessary environmental assessments and consents in order to proceed with the works which involves...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Process (23 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The preparation of legislation to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon is a Government priority, with the River Shannon Management Body Bill on the priority legislation list for drafting for Autumn 2024. The main purpose of the Bill is to improve flood risk management for the River Shannon catchment. The management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies (23 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government in 2016 to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated solutions that may have benefit in managing flood risk on the Shannon Catchment. The Group is focussed on prioritising actions and activities that can help to manage...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I would like to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport but neither the Minister or his officials are involved in the day-to-day management, operation or planning of public transport services....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Services (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, I thank Senator Dolan for raising this important matter. The Minister and Department recognise the importance of connectivity to people who live and work in Ireland. It is key to bringing life back to our villages, towns and urban centres. As indicated in my initial response, the NTA, which is responsible for public transport in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Taxi Regulations (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Acting Chair. I thank in particular Senator Sherlock for raising this important matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I would like to clarify that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is responsible for policy and overall funding of public transport. Neither the Minister nor his...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Taxi Regulations (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Sherlock. As previously stated, the NTA, as independent regulator for the SPSV sector, sets the standards and requirements for the sector which include rules about vehicle standards and vehicle age limits. For safety, emissions and quality reasons, standard taxis and hackneys must be less than ten years old to operate. Once a vehicle reaches its maximum permissible age, the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator O’Loughlin for her inquiry on the implementation of phase two of the National Transport Authority fare determination and, more particularly, its impact on the commuters of south Kildare. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan. From the outset I would like to clarify that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I reassure Senator O’Loughlin that the Government is strongly committed to delivering a cost-efficient and sustainable public transport network. The ongoing review of existing fare structures has a key role to play in achieving this goal. The Minister for Transport has welcomed the publication of the NTA’s fare determination which represents the first step in delivering the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Arts Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future includes the interest to develop innovative support schemes for amateur drama and musicals. In 2021, with the support of the Department, the Arts Council provided funding to the resource organisations that support...