Results 25,341-25,360 of 26,783 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Properties (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not have any vacant or derelict buildings in Dublin-Rathdown.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Heat Study, published by the SEAI, contains detailed analysis that is being used to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland’s heating and cooling sectors by 2050. The study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwellings and business premises. This included the use of liquid biofuels such as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Natural Gas Imports (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, the 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. The Programme for Government also commits to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Delivery of the Government's target of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenous biomethane by 2030 and its use within our energy system will have multiple cross-sectoral benefits for Ireland’s economy, energy security and emissions profile. As such, development of the industry will require a coherent and collaborative approach to policy implementation across all sectors including energy,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gender Recognition (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I am advised that my Department is not part of the interdepartmental working group referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Climate Action Plan 2024 commits to achieving at least 5 gigawatts (GW) of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030. The Government's Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce is driving delivery of this objective. My Department’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme is the support mechanism to incentivise the development of both offshore and onshore wind and also of grid scale solar....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (8 Apr 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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of employees working for Irish Rail after the age of 66 is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (8 Apr 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 issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 290 and 318 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including application and scheduling matters. I have referred the Deputies' questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply and I would ask the Deputies to contact my office if a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (8 Apr 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: Rail Network (8 Apr 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 through engagement with Iarnród Éireann, certain rail project proposals. The Foynes Line Reinstatement Project encompasses...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector. The NTA is currently reviewing SPSV service provision in rural locations, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 281 and 282 together. A European regulatory framework (Regulations (EU) 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666) allows for the safe development of the drone services market, including drone delivery, and the integration of drones into our airspace. The European U-space Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/664) emerged to support commercial operations with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing TFI Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities. Under Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing TFI Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities. Under Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The “Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways” was published by the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport in July 2018. It contained a commitment to develop a code of practice. The Code of Best Practice was published in December 2021 following its development and finalisation by a working-group made up of a range of representatives from the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In the main, Capital projects & investments are delivered by the relevant agencies under the remit of my Department. I have referred this question to the agencies under my remit for further reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within ten working days please contact my private office. In relation to departmental projects exceeding 500k, please see table below: ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 Apr 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources. On 14th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an overall increase of over 8% in funding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From 2023 there has been a marked increase in exemptions granted to Irish-registered aircraft operating outside of Ireland. This increase is linked to the Scandinavian operations of the SAS Group, particularly SAS Connect, an Irish licenced airline. This subsidiary of the SAS Group operates a fleet of 30 aircraft, with bases in Copenhagen, London Heathrow, and Stockholm. The expansion of...