Results 24,481-24,500 of 26,778 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government (27 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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects. The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail (27 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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including together with Iarnród Éireann, car parking at Sallins and Naas train station. Noting the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To inform the Deputy, I understand that Dublin Port engaged extensively with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Dublin County Council with regard to the planning and design of the Southern Port Access Route (SPAR) bridge. As requested by the NTA, the SPAR bridge has been designed so that it can be modified in the future to accommodate the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (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: 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...