Results 26,761-26,780 of 26,791 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I agree with his point regarding data centres. Ireland has done well. Other countries see this as a success in FDI. We have a footprint that has to be managed. That is why the large energy user policy, which the CRU will produce, will be important. It will set a plan-led way forward. That is what we need to do. Management is needed, which is understood within the...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The policy decision of the previous Government was set aside to permit us to move forward with the FSRU. Let us be clear about that. I said that in the Dáil in answers to questions from Deputies and was very open about it. The other aspect of that is my predecessor took a position on an existing planning application relating to fracked gas. The legal advice provided, which I have...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: PR6 investment is not just for enterprise or for data centres. That is for grid investment over a five-year period.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It is factored in 21% to 30%. That is with existing connections. Obviously, we are doing other things through the NDP to accelerate further grid investment. That is a matter for discussion right now between my Department, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and myself, so we are working that through.

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: PR6, as Deputy Whitmore rightly stated, outlines what that is grounded on - development over this five-year period. That is very clear over the five-year period. On the data centre side, it deals with those with existing connections. We have to look past that, because these projects - not just data centres but larger companies as well - will have a three-, five- to seven-year outlook as to...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the question. Anybody can put in a planning application in for anything in this country. It does not mean the application will be upheld. I am not the planning Minister. A corporation or organisation can put in a planning application. What I was focused on was energy security and dealing with the risk identified by two independent reports that stated there was a serious risk...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Carbon Budget: Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (2 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I would be happy to. Certainly, I will give the committee an update. I am looking through the options, so I will not repeat myself, but it is important the committee is informed. I really look forward to engaging and working with the committee as we work through policy areas. When I see big policy areas, such as marine protected areas, that in itself linked with DMAPs could constitute one...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Risk Management (3 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Matters relating to flooding and remedial flood relief works are primarily a matter for my colleague Kevin Moran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for OPW who would be best placed to discuss the topics raised. It is suggested that the Castlemartyr Flood Group contact Minister of State Moran's office directly to arrange a meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the refurbishment of fleet, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Jul 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: Bus Services (3 Jul 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: Bus Services (3 Jul 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects. The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide a transformative upgrade to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (3 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. There is a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Cork with €6,970,000 allocated in 2025. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (3 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (3 Jul 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: Bus Services (3 Jul 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 Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (3 Jul 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: Road Network (3 Jul 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: Road Network (3 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, which is planned to link the N22 (Carrigrohane Road) to Glanmire, was established in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. It is intended that the Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route will include both car traffic and bus lanes, as well as cycling and pedestrian facilities. Cork City Council launched a public consultation on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (3 Jul 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 Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you...