Results 1,121-1,140 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I can advise the Deputy that there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to work with stakeholders to achieve our objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport as soon as possible. Since my appointment as Minister for Transport I have commenced the process of meeting with the key stakeholders and will continue to do so over the coming weeks to understand how...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (4 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: Bus Services (4 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the school transport scheme is a matter for the Minister for Education. However, I note that the Programme for Government (PFG), Government has committed to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme". I will be engaging with the Minister for Education and with Bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (4 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: Bus Services (4 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network and stations on the network, including the proposed station referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance. Noting IÉ's responsibility in relation to the rail network and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (4 Mar 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. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 202, 203, 204 and 206 together. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The Programme for Government commits to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes have terms and conditions in place to ensure the transparent administration of public monies. It is important to note that the grants available through the SEAI aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community owned solar and wind projects and to supporting communities to secure grid access for local renewable projects. The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. It provides a range of supports,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Regarding the above matter raised, it is not appropriate to comment on a specific case. The Health and Safety Authority are the relevant authority responsible for health and safety in the renewable energy sector including wind turbines and the Minister has no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. As Minister, I have no function in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As part of the national response to Storm Éowyn the Cross-Departmental Recovery Group was established. The Group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is coordinating actions to restore telecommunications and broadband to those experiencing outages. The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD met with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together. As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the Programme for Government we also set out our commitment to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As a final part of the review of Ireland’s energy security, my Department, in consultation with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) are in the process of completing a detailed examination to introduce a reserve in line with criteria and requirements determined by the Department which included:A proposal which can be implemented quicklyA proposal which does not inadvertently increase gas demand...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have asked my officials to review this report and to engage directly with the EPA on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is committed to tackling scam calls and texts across electronic communications networks and services. The total quantifiable harm to Irish society arising from scam SMS is estimated at €115 million per annum. This damage is not solely endured by Irish citizens, but businesses too are paying a heavy price. Both my Department and the Commission for Communications...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Gas Networks Ireland, as system operator, is committed to ensuring the security of the sub-sea interconnectors which are vital components of Ireland's energy infrastructure. These interconnectors play a crucial role in maintaining a stable and secure energy supply. On 14 November 2024 the Russian vessel “Yantar” was observed in the vicinity of Gas Interconnector 1 by the...