Results 1,421-1,440 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am looking at public transport and the commitment for this year, 2024. I see current expenditure will be down by approximately 10% and capital expenditure is increasing by 26%. How does this sit with the recruitment of drivers in particular? I presume this is current expenditure. How does it fit with an expanded roll-out of Connecting Ireland?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: No problem. I am trying to get a picture of this. My understanding is that Connecting Ireland is a €56 million programme over five years. It began in 2021 and we are now into 2024. I am trying to get a sense of where we are at the minute and where we intend to be at the end of the year. I recognise the challenges we have had in rolling out these services. I understand that in...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Tell me about it, Minister. This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of. We are on the other side of it. It is trying to follow this five-year programme.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I get that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: How many new routes are expected or intended in 2024?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister. Will the Minister point us towards the fare restructuring? It is a significant issue of importance in my county and in many regions. The expectation is that the first phase will kick in-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: September?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: To go back to the Minister's point on the need for multi-annual budgeting, at a wider level the budget plugs into the national development plan. Is there an update on how negotiations are going or when we might see an update of the national development plan? We have consistently raised the need for additional funding to 2030 and there are challenges in that regard, as the Minister has said....

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Is it a question of additional funding or does the Minister see a role for other vehicles? Is it literally a negotiation within the Government between party leaders and the Department of public expenditure or how will he get something like this over the line? Will the new climate and infrastructure fund play a role in that? How does the Minister square all this?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Coming back to Connecting Ireland, the Department will not do as much this year as it did last year. Is that related to constraints on current spend? We hear from providers that this is going to be a tighter or more difficult year. As I understand, we have changed the critical skills list and opened other avenues for drivers and mechanics. What is behind the reduction?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I take the Minister's point, but the figure was €3.88 million for the first year, €8.35 million last year and just under €10 million this year, which is year three. Of a fund of €56 million, we have spent in the region of €23 million. Is that correct?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is going to be a big final two years.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: That is what the Minister said last year. He said projects scale up. This year, however, he is saying he is going to do less than last year.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am not disagreeing with that-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I take the point, but these are fair questions. It is a five-year programme, and there is political support across the board. They are the types of projects we want. We recognise that there are challenges. I am trying to understand the assessment of the Department and the Government as to how they will grow the projects.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister would get a Supplementary Estimate.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There is now an assembly in the North and the Minister’s portfolio crosses two or three Departments in the North. Does he have plans to meet his counterparts?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (7 Feb 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]