Results 25,281-25,300 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has already committed significant funding to support low-emitting vehicles through the national development plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period from 2021 to 2025 and additional support from the climate action fund. This funding includes both capital grants to support the purchase of EVs and capital funding for the delivery...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the broad thrust of what the Deputy is saying whereby 50% of the vehicles being sold in the current market are typically characterised as SUVs. They are larger, have a bigger environmental footprint and contain a greater amount of steel. There are concerns around safety for pedestrians and others. If a person is hit by an SUV versus a lighter and smaller car, there are real...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The other thing that will help in that direction is that the market itself is changing. A large number of the international manufacturers in Europe and beyond are starting to provide options that are cheaper, lighter and more compact. I believe there is a real market for that. Many people say they cannot switch to electric vehicles because of the cost issue. That will start to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Under the National Development Plan 2021-2030, BusConnects programmes will be substantially delivered in all of Ireland’s five cities by the end of the decade. These programmes will significantly enhance the quality of public transport in our cities and also include the parallel development of high-quality cycle lanes. BusConnects will be hugely transformative for all five of our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I fully agree with the Deputy. As I said, that local knowledge helped to inform the significant change that took place between the first and second iterations. That will continue to be needed. Public representatives also have a key role because they represent the people and have similar knowledge of the area. Both councillors and Deputies have a critical role to play. I encourage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I absolutely agree about the consequences of not listening and the need to avail of local knowledge. I am glad the Deputy had a two-hour meeting with the representatives of the NTA. I have been involved in transport campaigning for 30 or 40 years, and in every single instance I can recall where we restricted traffic in some way, there have been valid concerns about what will happen to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government’s position on parking, including workplace parking, is largely reflected in the recent climate action plan. Broadly speaking, the plan recognises the role of car parking, and the availability and price thereof, in people’s choice to use a car, and the associated impacts this can have on climate emissions as well as on traffic congestion and the efficient...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I think such a levy goes back to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: It must have been updated further. Either way, the point is that we have been talking about this for a long time. It is not an easy one. It is very sensitive. In many cases, people were locked into certain transport systems because of 50 or 60 years of car-dependent planning. We need that to change. It is about a combination of measures and not any one. We want to avoid punitive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In the first instance, I believe it is the Minister for Finance who has the signing order on any such measures and he or she would have a key role in anything. I go back to the point I made already that we cannot do this as a punitive thing where certain workers are forced into a workforce transport mode and then have the conditions change from under their feet, as it were. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: There have been significant initiatives in the lifetime of the Government to improve public transport, particularly its affordability. There was a 20% reduction for all users and a 60% reduction for those under 24. In Dublin, 90-minute fares were introduced, so you can go from one public transport mode to another with a single fare. Only last week, new fare structures were introduced that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I am keen to get the details. I used to do a lot of hitching over the years. Is that what the Deputy is talking about? Is it a hitching scheme?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Would the driver be paid?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Our mobility hubs will provide a very good example of that. I look forward to rolling them out right across the country.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: On the basis of the initiatives I mentioned, including a reduction in fares of about 60% for those under 24, we are seeing a significant increase in public transport here by comparison with other European cities. The Deputy is effectively saying we should provide cars to people for free.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Would that not just blow our climate budget and public transport system? Free cars for everyone would-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Just some individuals.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: So everyone would have a free car.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In that would lie madness, given the traffic implications, to say the least.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I am glad to confirm that my Department has engaged with Iarnród Éireann on a possible future station in the Killucan–Kinnegad area. An initial discussion on the potential reopening of Killucan station took place between my Department and Iarnród Éireann on 15 June 2022. Following this discussion, Iarnród Éireann was asked by my Department to prepare an...