Results 2,181-2,200 of 26,666 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 201, inclusive, together. The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects. The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 Feb 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 Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including together with Iarnród Éireann, car parking at Sallins and Naas train station. Noting the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (27 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To inform the Deputy, I understand that Dublin Port engaged extensively with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Dublin County Council with regard to the planning and design of the Southern Port Access Route (SPAR) bridge. As requested by the NTA, the SPAR bridge has been designed so that it can be modified in the future to accommodate the...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the proposer of the motion, Senator O'Loughlin, the seconder, Senator Clifford-Lee, and the other Fianna Fáil Senators for tabling this important motion. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words of welcome. I congratulate the new Senators who have been elected to the Upper House and the existing Senators who have been returned. I assure the Seanad that in my attendance...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: He probably will. I appreciate that the motion is very timely. I will address some of the points that Senators O'Loughlin and Clifford-Lee raised. We are not opposing the motion. It is very much in line with the programme for Government commitments that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the regional group crafted and put together. Public transport is critically important to the growth of...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: If another one is put down I will come back.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, will be taking over this section. It is not because Senator McDowell rose to his feet now-----

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Do not, please. Here he is.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the Programme for Government we also set out our commitment to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, together. The arrangements for Ministerial approval of the An Post Superannuation Scheme are provided for under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (MPENDR) approve any superannuation schemes submitted by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. I am advised that on 17 February 2014, An Post wrote to my Department seeking approval for proposed benefits and rule changes following the Company and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Issues regarding the development and operation of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. Both entities are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Planning,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As articulated in the July 2022 ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centre Policy in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’ ‘islanded’ data centres, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy. This Statement sets out principles for sustainable data centre...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Natural Gas Grid (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the Programme for Government we also set out our commitment to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The monitoring of wind turbine noise from operating wind farms is not a matter for which the Minister has responsibility and may be a matter for local authorities either pursuant to specific noise related conditions attached to individual planning permissions for any wind farm or potentially where noise nuisance complaints have been raised under section 107 of the Environmental Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department funds a range of SEAI supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions. In addition, funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the retrofit of social housing under the Local Authority Energy Efficiency...