Results 26,461-26,480 of 26,791 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, 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 the provision of bus shelters and bus stops. There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My most recent meeting with the CEO of Iarnród Éireann took place on the 12th of February 2025. While I currently have no meetings scheduled with him in the immediate term, I look forward to meeting with him in the future.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (24 Jun 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: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I can confirm that my department has received a submission from Mobility Partnership Ireland (MPI) containing their proposals for Budget 2026, and that representatives from the Department will meet with MPI to discuss these proposals in more detail in the coming days. The Department is currently considering this submission, along with others received, and these will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Every year, as part of the budgetary cycle, my Department and the Department of Finance engage on a range of possible changes to the tax code, including changes that might encourage people to travel more sustainably. Specific tax incentives are now in place to support cycling, encourage the use of public transport and support the transition to EVs. My Department is continuously exploring...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to increasing the uptake of EVs as evidenced in the ambitious targets set in the Climate Action Plan. Over €100m has been allocated in 2025 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. There is a suite of incentives in place from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The 2025 Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV25) Grant Scheme will re-open on Monday 23rd June. Since its inception in 2018, the eSPSV Grant Scheme has facilitated over 3,200 SPSV operators to make the switch to electric vehicles, contributing significantly to Ireland's climate goals. The scheme was initially launched in February with a €12.5 million budget. It received a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network. There is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I am delighted to advise the Deputy that I published a new 'National Policy Statement on Shared Mobility and the Provision of Hubs' on 19 June. The Statement fulfils commitments in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) and annual Climate Action Plans to support the expansion of shared mobility options, with a particular focus on the development of shared mobility hubs. Shared...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is finalising its Statement of Strategy 2025 - 2028, following an extensive consultation process, and expects to present it to me in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (24 Jun 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 EV charging is expected to happen at home, which will address most users charging needs, there is an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Draft Strategy for Data Concerning Electric Vehicles Recharging Infrastructure Plan sets out the measures to be implemented to effectively collect, use, and make data available to appropriate stakeholders and end users. The Strategy’s objective is to deliver the data infrastructure and policies required to deliver high-quality data regarding the Electric Vehicles Recharging...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Sustainable Development Goals (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The Programme for Government commits to accelerating Ireland’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and to adopting a coordinated approach to drive impactful action both at home and abroad. A whole-of-Government approach is being taken to deliver the SDGs in Ireland. My Department has overall...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in determining how to use less energy; adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating; shifting energy use to off-peak times; or investing in smart...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electricity Generation (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together. According to figures from SEAI's interim 2024 national energy balance report, 86% of electricity consumed in Ireland was produced indigenously in 2024 with imports accounting for 100% of its oil, 79.5% of its gas, and 14.0% of its electricity through interconnectors. In 2024, the majority of electricity generation was from natural gas...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regional Assemblies (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the briefing note provided by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Delivering electricity infrastructure is a key priority for this Government and we are seeking to accelerate that delivery through a number of initiatives, including the Future Grid Working Group which was established under the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce. This Group is chaired by officials...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The ‘Guidelines for Managing Openings in Public Roads’, published by the Department of Transport in April 2017, sets out a summary of the legal framework relating to powers of road authorities, various statutory bodies and private individuals in opening or forming openings in public roads in Ireland. The document prescribes standards in respect of the work of forming openings,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Schemes (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body, CIÉ are responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (26 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network. Bus Éireann has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the...