Results 241-260 of 25,443 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From 2023 there has been a marked increase in exemptions granted to Irish-registered aircraft operating outside of Ireland. This increase is linked to the Scandinavian operations of the SAS Group, particularly SAS Connect, an Irish licenced airline. This subsidiary of the SAS Group operates a fleet of 30 aircraft, with bases in Copenhagen, London Heathrow, and Stockholm. The expansion of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (8 Apr 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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the development of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The Transport Strategy for the Greater...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electricity Grid (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. The expansion and upgrade of the public EV charging network is an effective way to help the transition to a zero and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (8 Apr 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: Climate Action Plan (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken by the Department of Transport in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review informs the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with decarbonisation targets in both jurisdictions. The Review’s Final Report was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 Apr 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. The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may know, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) in 2020, which was developed in consultation with Cork City and Cork County Councils and with input from other key stakeholders, including Iarnród Éireann. As part of this process, the route from Midleton to Youghal was earmarked for development as a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Below are the current vacancies in the department. The roles are filled from a number of streams such as Publicjobs, internal competitions and internal/external mobility. Grade Number of vacancies Expected Timeframe Higher Executive Officer 5 End of May Administrative Officer 8 End of June ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 Apr 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: Haulage Industry (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. In November 2024, the Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles scheme was expanded to include purchase grants for recharging...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness, including advertising and the dissemination of road safety information. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work directly with Local Authorities on the delivery of EV charging infrastructure. Home charging is and will remain the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it is convenient, cheaper for the consumer and assists in the overall management of the national grid by reducing the impact of reliance on higher powered and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (8 Apr 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. Under the Programme for Government, the Department will work collaboratively with operators to act on the recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review to improve connectivity across the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The list of Ministerial staff and their salaries are outlined below: Grade Point on Salary Scale Minister Darragh O'Brien Private Secretary (Higher Executive Officer) 1 Constituency Office (Executive Officer) 8 Constituency Office (Clerical Officer) 6 Minister of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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: Public Transport (8 Apr 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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to increasing the number of LUAS trams during peak commuting hours is an operational matter for Transdev. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the RSA has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the training requirements associated with qualifying and registering as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested, if known, will be held by them. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA 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: Taxi Licences (8 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The 2025 Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant Scheme (eSPSV25), which was launched the 17th of February, has this year seen an unprecedented level of interest from taxi, hackney and limousine operators across Ireland. This Scheme supports the uptake of EVs in the small public service vehicles sector and has a budget of €12.5m in 2025. The eSPSV25 Grant Scheme is now fully...