Results 26,481-26,500 of 26,787 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (26 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (26 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: Departmental Schemes (26 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. The Government’s aim is to create an optimum environment to keep up with demand for EV charging and make it...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Jun 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...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the collection and publication of statistics regarding SPSV licence numbers, 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. ...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together. The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant Scheme supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines). Due to the record number of applications, the eSPSV25 Grant Scheme was fully subscribed and temporarily paused in order to review and process the eligible applications received. The grant Scheme...

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as an gcuireadh chun a bheith anseo os comhair an choiste iompair maidin inniu. Táim ag tnúth go mór leis an gcuid oibre atá le déanamh againn le chéile ar son ár ndaoine fud fad na tíre. I thank the Chairman and the committee for the invitation and I look forward to working with members of the committee...

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: We have received the first tranche. There was an order for 165 carriages over two deliveries. The first portion of that is being commissioned now and they are being tested in Inchicore. They will be tested shortly on the northern line. They have been received and that testing and commissioning are important. We had 41 carriages delivered last year for the new DART fleet and the...

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: They are not actually in service yet. That is the reason.

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: We have the first tranche of them. The first part of the order has been received.

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: There are 180 ordered in total. We have 41 right now and they are being received in stages and will be brought on to the line.

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, they are. I have just been informed that we also have 41 intercity rail carriages, which are already in service. The new carriages for the DART+ fleet are being commissioned. The first part of that order was received last year.

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have been told that the projection is quarter 4 of 2026. Licensing arrangements need to be done not just within Ireland but also at a European rail level. Quite a bit of that work has to be done as well. There is also the commissioning and driver training.

Select Committee on Transport: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (25 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It will make a significant difference to that line and it will also make a significant difference to other lines. We will be able to move carriages currently on the northern line to other lines, thereby increasing capacity. These carriages are fully accessible for those with disabilities. We have made strides with that. Regarding waiting times or having to pre-order or pre-book a slot on...