Results 1,141-1,160 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: On 30 January 2025, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage received notification from the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in relation to development consent applications concerning the proposed project and confirmed that it would engage with relevant competent authorities to determine if transboundary consultation was necessary. Following on from...

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

Darragh O'Brien: On 24 January, Storm Éowyn caused widespread power outages, unprecedented damage, and in parts, left the electricity grid destroyed due to broken poles, lines and wires. The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) was convened on Wednesday 22 January in preparation for the storm. This was attended by all Government Departments and agencies. Severe weather plans for the...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm to the Deputy that the principal officer with responsibility for the corporate governance and fisheries policies of the inland fisheries division/unit in my Department has been in place since September 2023.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 284 together. The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the local area hackney scheme, 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...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The current legislation in operation regarding horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward in Dublin City is the Dublin Carriages Act 1853-1855. Local authorities in other areas can regulate horse-drawn carriages under the Local Government Act 2001. Due to a provision in the Local Government Act 2001 that prevents local authorities from making bye-laws where power exists elsewhere in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (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. The reference number provided 22tcc/22/0015 does not match...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, 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. The 2025 Programme for Government (PfG) commits...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (4 Mar 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 Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector. In June 2010, the NTA introduced S.I. No. 250 of 2010 - Taxi...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 236, 237 and 238 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. 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...

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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts....

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade scheme is one of a number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan. 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...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work directly with local authorities on the delivery of EV charging infrastructure. Home charging is and will remain the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it is convenient, cheaper for the consumer and assists in the overall management of the national grid by reducing the impact of reliance on higher powered and...

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: Cycling Policy (4 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport, including the Cycle Right programmes in schools. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking....

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

Darragh O'Brien: 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 ticketing and technology projects. The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project is to provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a...

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

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath. The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which was approved in early 2023, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The issue of a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (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...