Results 641-660 of 26,228 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works is committed to developing the facilities at the Dún Aonghus Visitor Centre on Árann. The OPW-run Visitor Centre marks the entry point to the dedicated pedestrian route to the Fort, which is a walkway or circa 1km leading to the ancient Dún Aonghus site itself. In 2023, the Dún Aonghusa Visitor Centre had 144,153 visitors. The OPW is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Erosion (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Local Authorities are responsible for coastal erosion in their own areas. Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures. Intervention or hard defences have the potential to cause problems further along the coast, any proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: As part of the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) studies, Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) were published in May 2018, which identified more than 100 flood relief schemes to be further developed for implementation. In addition to the identified schemes, a number of further schemes were also found to be technically feasible, but their estimated costs were...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Additional time is needed to collate the information requested by the Deputy. The Office of Public Works will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (5 Nov 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for caring, maintaining and operating the country’s most important heritage sites. The mission of OPW Heritage Services is to conserve the nation’s built and natural heritage in our care, to provide public access and interpretation for citizens and visitors and to engender a desire for its protection. The number of visitors to...

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

Kieran O'Donnell: Is that because it is on private land?

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....