Results 17,281-17,300 of 26,148 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will go back to each of the Deputies for a minute each. We can try to locate Deputy Matthews because I would like him to come in. I will start with Deputy O'Rourke.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Where is NIFTI at present?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: When is it going to Cabinet for approval?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: It came before us on the committee and a public consultation process was to be carried out. Similar to the strategic review, it was due to go to Cabinet for approval. If projects are being assessed under it, I want to confirm that it is Government policy.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is good. Are projects currently being assessed under NIFTI even though it has not been approved by Cabinet yet?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the Department assessing them under NIFTI?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The implications of that are enormous in-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister will appreciate that it has significant implications. It is the tool by which projects are assessed and is a change from the previous assessment, which is the current one approved by Government. It is a question we as a committee have. The Minister is entitled to put whichever plan forward, but he must bring it to Cabinet for approval.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister has clarified that it will go to Cabinet by the end of this year. I now call Deputy Crowe followed by Deputy Ó Murchú. The Minister has to leave by 4.10 p.m.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: As part of the new NIFTI plan.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I accept all that. However, they are Government decisions ultimately. I welcome and support the fact that NIFTI will go before Cabinet before the end of the year following public consultation. I apologise to Deputy Crowe.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy can go a minute over.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister will appreciate my point that linking an airport directly by rail to a city has an added flavour that a shuttle bus does not have. I accept the Minister's point. It will be included in the new LSMATS. Cycling is hugely important and we all support it, but, with the best will in the world, not everyone will cycle due to the nature of it.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have bought a bike and I am cycling.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am not denying that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I would love nothing more than a cycle lane the length of the M20. It is all an integrative model. I will invite Deputy Ó Murchú in but we do not want to hold up the Minister.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Warriors.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will finish formally. We look forward to re-engaging with the Minister when the NDP is published.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Communications
Vote 31 - Transport (29 Sep 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is something we are all interested in. We may differ in our opinions but we are all looking to achieve the same goal in public services. I thank the Minister for attending today's meeting and for engaging with the committee and I thank his officials also.