Results 681-700 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159, 160 and 161 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 749/2024) transpose Article 17(15) of Directive 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast) into Irish law. The Regulations provide that from 1 January 2025 public bodies shall not provide any financial incentives for the installation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wind Energy Generation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that the west coast of Ireland holds significant potential for the development of floating offshore wind energy, with its vast wind resources and deep waters. Ireland has set ambitious targets to achieve 5GW of offshore renewable energy generation by 2030 with a further target of 20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050 as set out in the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Pensions (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: For operational and national security reasons, I cannot disclose details about the number or origin of cyber-attacks on my Department. Releasing this information, even for past years, could compromise my Department's security posture and harm our security efforts. Protecting public services remains a priority of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. There is a current target under the Climate Action Plan to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030. Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Cybersecurity and protecting public services is a key priority for my Department. Our investments in cybersecurity are fully integrated within our overall ICT operations and it would not be possible to accurately separate out costs. Furthermore, for security reasons, we do not disclose granular cybersecurity details. Releasing this information, even for prior years, could compromise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service, including includes licence application matters. My Department does not have access to individual driving licence exchange applications and may not intervene in that process. Accordingly, I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the recruitment and employment of its staff, within the sanction given the Department of Transport. The Department has no direct role in recruitment. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputy that measures have been taken to address the issue. To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the provision of test centres and their locations. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities. Under Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of funding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of integrated ticketing and information systems for public transport, including the Leap card. Given the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of integrated ticketing and information systems for public transport, including the Leap Card. Given the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, 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 the provision of bus stops and shelters nationally. There is a commitment under the Programme for government to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources. On 14th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an overall increase of over 8% in funding...