Results 29,741-29,760 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy was informed by the Minister for Social Protection on 18 June, the car ferry, to which the Deputy refers, recently commenced accepting Free Travel for pedestrian passengers, effective from 1st June 2024. Travel by private car, including the cost of a car on a ferry crossing, is not covered under the Free Travel scheme. It is not my intention to advocate for free travel for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link and the Connecting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: 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: Rail Network (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: 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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested relating to Driving Test centres in Cork is held by that organisation. I have therefore referred those specific questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: 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: Driver Test (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: In line with its obligations under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, my Department has commissioned an independent external review of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Within its terms of reference, among other things, the Review will make recommendations about the appropriate future funding model for the RSA, including the fee-setting process. Pending the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, which includes the operation of the theory test. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. Driver licensing laws are intended to ensure drivers on our roads meet high safety standards. Testing standards are set at EU level. Ireland may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: 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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (26 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy may know, tractors may be driven on the motorway so long as they are capable of maintaining a minimum speed of 50km/h. My Department has no plans to amend the current legislation. Although my Department legislates for tractor use on motorways, the enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: First, I thank Deputy O'Rourke, in turn. It has always been a pleasure to work with him in various committees and in the Chamber here. I can respond similarly to the Deputy about the constructive approach he takes. As we still have some months to go in this Government, he and I will probably disagree on various issues, but the engagement with the Deputy has always been very civil and I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: We are looking at definitions. The ESRI has been commissioned and will complete a body of research, although it will be some time before that is completed. An evidence-based approach will be key to its analysis and coming up with a definition. For the State, the most effective measure in terms of definitions or impacts has been on the awarding of fuel allowances for some 400,000 homes....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: First, our retrofit schemes are the most effective mechanism. We have immediate measures such as the fuel allowance, but the best way of tackling fuel poverty is to deal with the problem at source and to improve the building fabric so that people do not have to spend money, especially on wasteful or inefficient fossil fuel heating systems. Our strategy in that regard is very clearly towards...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Over a relatively short period of time, this Government has completely reimagined and implemented a new policy, legislative and regulatory system to deliver on our commitment to offshore renewable energy. Our plan-led approach to delivering our offshore wind targets includes a number of overlapping phases. Over 3 GW of capacity has been procured in our first offshore wind auction from phase...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I have been at a series of international meetings recently on the issue: in Bilbao, the European offshore wind energy conference; in Bruges, where we had a meeting of the north-west energy ministers on the subject; and in Dublin last week with our Scottish colleagues. In all three locations, I sensed broad consensus from industry, regulators and international experts that Ireland is now well...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: We will. We want to see our ports developing as one of the benefits from offshore wind. I expect the likes of Shannon Foynes Port to be centrally involved in the development of that first project on the west coast. I expect the Port of Cork to develop and deliver the project it has planning permission for, which is the development of a 200 m berth of 11 m or so depth, an extension of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The roadmap for achieving a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is outlined and developed in successive annual climate action plans which set out detailed strategies for delivery across multiple sectors. Our ambitious 2030 target is underpinned by legally binding carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development...