Results 24,341-24,360 of 26,778 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (20 Feb 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 your...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (20 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 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: Road Network (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, which provides the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (20 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 is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms to provide advice in respect of the use of AI. Some guidance has been received from Microsoft in relation to their Copilot platform as part of regular account management meetings and at no additional cost to the Department. A free version Copilot is being assessed by staff in the Department under strict controls. A project is commencing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Motor Tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. There is an additional charge associated with both the half-yearly and quarterly discs. In relation to motor tax paid for 3 months or 6 months the charges are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 385/1992, as amended. Regulation 26(1) of that S.I. reads as follows: 26(1) A licence may be taken out under Section 1 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Data (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below details the number of original tax discs issued in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 broken down by annual, half year and quarter year payments. Number of Original Tax Discs Issues Annual Half Year Quarter Year Total 2022 2,083,568 713,987 2,026,763 4,824,318 ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below details the additional amounts derived from the collection of motor tax payments as a result of the surcharge for periodic payments. The rates payable are 28.25% (quarterly) or 55.5% (half yearly) of the full annual rate of duty. 2022 Surcharge 2023 Surcharge 2024 Surcharge Half Yearly €12,400,972 ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the development of a Luas red line extension to serve Poolbeg is currently one of the longer-term proposals in the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042, for development and delivery within the 2037-2042 timeframe. The Strategy states that the proposed Luas extension to Poolbeg is subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand The NTA have issued a response to the deputy as of Monday 17th of February 2025.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the proposer of the motion, Senator O'Loughlin, the seconder, Senator Clifford-Lee, and the other Fianna Fáil Senators for tabling this important motion. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words of welcome. I congratulate the new Senators who have been elected to the Upper House and the existing Senators who have been returned. I assure the Seanad that in my attendance...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: He probably will. I appreciate that the motion is very timely. I will address some of the points that Senators O'Loughlin and Clifford-Lee raised. We are not opposing the motion. It is very much in line with the programme for Government commitments that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the regional group crafted and put together. Public transport is critically important to the growth of...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: If another one is put down I will come back.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, will be taking over this section. It is not because Senator McDowell rose to his feet now-----

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Do not, please. Here he is.