Results 981-1,000 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Just Transition (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) Programme and Territorial Just Transition Plan were approved by the Government and by the European Commission in December 2022. The Programme was formally launched on 28 April 2023. The EU JTF Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the Midlands region, incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pension Provisions (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister. My Department has received two requests to apply increases to payments under the EirGrid Defined Benefit Pension...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pension Provisions (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister. My officials have confirmed that there have been no EirGrid pension scheme increments approved in the last 12 years to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that our reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future. Ireland supports measures that reinforce and advance our transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and will promote and support measures at international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. International collaboration is key...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of 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 the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: District heating can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to diversification of fuel supply for heat and to decarbonise the heat sector. The establishment of the District Heating Steering Group was a critical step on our journey towards developing district...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households deal with the rising cost of electricity, including four Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes. Over 2.2 million households have received €1,450 in bill support at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Prices (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and are overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Price setting by energy suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. The Government has made a number of important commitments...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Weather Events (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. Storm Éowyn was among the most severe weather events to impact Ireland in recent decades, causing extensive damage to electricity infrastructure nationally. Throughout and following the storm, I engaged with ESB Networks (ESB-N) regarding the response to the damage caused and to building further resilience into the electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that the planning application for the Dublin Array offshore wind farm is presently with an Bord Pleanála for consideration. The specifications concerned would form part of the planning documents submitted and these can be viewed on the Bord Pleanála website. I have no function in relation to these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authorities (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the bridge referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (10 Jun 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulations Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector. I am aware that the NTA's vehicle standards require that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Navigation Orders (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The aircraft in question is "N" registered, which means it is recorded on the US Federal Aviation Administration registry. It has the appropriate safety approval to operate commercial aviation operations within, into or out of the European Union. It is understood that the air operator in question holds a US Government contract to carry out domestic and international air services. Stops...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (10 Jun 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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (10 Jun 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: Bus Services (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including enforcement is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector. Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under EU legislation, the operator of an airport (daa in the case of Dublin airport) is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs), which set flight paths into and out of an airport. At Dublin airport, AirNav Ireland carries out the design and maintenance function on behalf of daa. The Irish Aviation Authority, as civil aviation safety regulator, is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authorities (10 Jun 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. Investment in Active Travel infrastructure has increased...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Navigation Orders (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department's examination is not complete and I am not in a position to provide a definitive timeframe for its completion. My Department is making every effort to complete it in as timely a manner as possible.