Results 1,241-1,260 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, together. The arrangements for Ministerial approval of the An Post Superannuation Scheme are provided for under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (MPENDR) approve any superannuation schemes submitted by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. I am advised that on 17 February 2014, An Post wrote to my Department seeking approval for proposed benefits and rule changes following the Company and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Issues regarding the development and operation of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. Both entities are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Planning,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As articulated in the July 2022 ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centre Policy in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’ ‘islanded’ data centres, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy. This Statement sets out principles for sustainable data centre...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Natural Gas Grid (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The monitoring of wind turbine noise from operating wind farms is not a matter for which the Minister has responsibility and may be a matter for local authorities either pursuant to specific noise related conditions attached to individual planning permissions for any wind farm or potentially where noise nuisance complaints have been raised under section 107 of the Environmental Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department funds a range of SEAI supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions. In addition, funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the retrofit of social housing under the Local Authority Energy Efficiency...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Feb 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: Public Transport (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Scheme (eSPSV) supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines). In recognition of the important role the sector plays in decarbonizing the broader transport system, the scheme increased from €2m in 2020 to €15m in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The scheme continued in 2024 with an allocation of €11.5m,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Sustainable Mobility Policy and its associated Action Plan 2022-2025 includes an action to establish an annual National Sustainable Mobility Forum to engage with relevant transport stakeholders. The policy sets out that representatives from relevant transport providers (public and private) and trade unions; local authorities; advocacy groups for transport users, including...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) was published in April 2022, and sets out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport journeys to help Ireland meet its climate obligations. It is accompanied by an action plan to 2025...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Feb 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: Bus Services (26 Feb 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Feb 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: Road Projects (26 Feb 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 (26 Feb 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 recruitment and deployment of driver testers.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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the public transport fleet. The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Feb 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: Airport Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Aviation security is a matter that is highly regulated at international, European and national levels and all regulated entities, including airport operators, are required to comply with rigorous standards and are subject to national and international oversight. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) oversee industry compliance while the implementation of aviation security measures are a matter...