Results 201-220 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on International Travel (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: We wish them well in their recovery and thank them for all the important work they do. On the challenge for the sector overall, I take the points made about Ireland being an outlier but it strikes me that there is a fundamental conflict between the wishes for public health when NPHET has been very clear in its requests here, and the interests of the aviation sector more generally around...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Waldron and Mr. Macken for their presentations. I also thank them for their work and that of the people they represent on the front line. I have a question for Mr. O'Leary and Mr. Macken. In terms of the supports they believe are needed for the taxi industry, what is the scale of the subsidies that are needed? What form should they take? Should it be grants or...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: Out of interest, does Mr. Waldron know how many taxi drivers are over the age of 66 and, thereby, not eligible for the Covid payment? They may be in a more difficult position in terms of weighing up whether they should be back at work.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to ask about the experience of the witnesses in dealing with the NTA and the Department. We have a new Minister in situ. In terms of engagement, reference was made to some of the weaknesses of the taxi advisory committee. I am aware that a range of other issues have become significantly magnified as challenges in the sector, such as NCT tests, suitability tests, the buy-back scheme...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: Mr. Macken and Mr. Waldron both mentioned challenges as they relate to the operation of taxis at Dublin Airport. Will they expand on that, outlining the current circumstances, how Covid has affected them, and what they believe needs to happen in that regard?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I am keeping an eye on the clock. I have a number of questions arising out of issues that have presented over time but I also wish to address some matters that arose during this morning's deliberations. I thank the witnesses for their attendance. There is deep concern that our ports and airports are gateways for further import of Covid-19 and that they will increase the risk of the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Mr. Towey for that response. I will make a point about the low passenger numbers at this point in time. My sense is that the challenge at the moment is not what it might be in the future. This morning we heard a strong case for a relaxation of restrictions, and we do not know where we are in the development of a vaccine. We may be some months living with Covid-19. We will have to...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to move on to another issue. We had representatives from the-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I have two more questions and they will be brief. Then I am-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: That is no problem. I am watching the clock myself. Representatives from the taxi sector appeared before the committee this morning. They outlined a deep sense of frustration in their industry and how it has been affected by Covid-19 and with the supports from Government. One issue they raised was engagement with the NTA and, to a lesser extent, I think, the Department and the Minister....

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: What form did the Minister's meeting take? Was it with the taxi advisory committee or was it more general?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Ms Hanlon. I welcome the fact that there has been engagement, but in addition to the assessment, it is fair to say that a question arose in our earlier session in terms of the representativeness of the taxi advisory committee. I ask that the witnesses engage in a full and comprehensive way with the groups we met earlier. I do not know the exact detail in terms of the make-up, but...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes. I thank Mr. Spratt. I will conclude and I thank the witnesses for their contributions.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I support the comments of previous speakers. The commitment to public transport is fundamental to the programme for Government and private operators play a key role in scheduled services, tourism, tours and school transport. It is an important issue. These providers are honest, decent, hard workers and they deserve the full support of the State.

Future of School Education: Motion [Private Members] (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I have good reason to focus my time on classroom sizes in Meath, as we have the highest in Ireland in Ashbourne, or on school buildings. Lismullen national school, for example, is one of the oldest and in the most urgent need of address. However, I wish to focus my comments on access. The future of education has to be one of public and active transport. That must the way of the future as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual target completions and budget for the retrofitting plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of retrofitting an average home; the total estimated spend by the State on retrofitting each year from July 2020 until 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an audit has been carried out on publicly owned buildings regarding their energy rating and their potential need for retrofitting; if an estimated cost has been calculated for the publicly owned buildings which need to be retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Bodies Data (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the 2020 budget allocations for all the offices, agencies and semi-State companies under his remit including additional funding allocated as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (28 Jul 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that companies (details supplied) jointly requested and obtained approval from the regulators here and Northern Ireland for exceptional funding to commence an advanced procurement process prior to receipt of planning approval having signed procurement contracts without...