Results 10,781-10,800 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: This meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimates for Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport, which was referred by the Dáil to the committee with instruction to report back no later than 19 April. I am awaiting the Minister's arrival. He is outside and will be with us shortly. As members are all aware, transport, tourism and sport face challenging times with numerous...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would like the Secretary General to attend, as it is important.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The meeting is now open to the floor. I have been advised that the normal process is to deal with each programme separately. As such, I ask members to confine initial questions to programme A on civil aviation. When members are satisfied, we will move to the next programme and so on.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: If we keep it to questions, it might help. In fairness, Deputy Catherine Murphy was here first. Like me, she was early.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister can respond in whatever order he wishes.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Keeffe also asked a question.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: While we are waiting, are there other questions members would like to ask? If not, then I will take it that, after this answer, we will move on to programme B, land transport. We will wait for the Minister's response, whenever that is convenient.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will the Minister revert to him during this meeting?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine. We will move on to programme B, land transport.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Are there further questions?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the provision in the budget for the expansion of land transport, the investment in roads and, in particular, the extension of the DART to Drogheda. Deputy Munster will agree with me on that. It has the capacity to transform the area, not just for commuters, although that is important, but also in terms of inward travel. The choice in transport that will be offered to the whole...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will correct the Minister on that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, I am glad to say the Minister is wrong, so I will respectfully correct him. I have been on to the-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, I will respectfully say that the Deputy is wrong as well. Hybrid diesel electric engines are being ordered. These do not require electrification to commence. I am told that they will be put into use immediately upon delivery, which should be a maximum of four years time. The ten-year cycle does not apply to the Drogheda extension.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: He might clarify.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: He can clarify if he wants, but he cannot contradict me on this because I know what I am talking about.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, I am not an optimist. I am factual. I would welcome it if the Minister got confirmation, though, as that is what I have been told by the body that is charged with doing this job.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (18 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is no problem with that. The timeline will not be ten years. The extension will not take greater than four years. Deputies Murphy, O'Keeffe and Troy are next to ask questions.