Results 2,941-2,960 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently in the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). This strategy will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy. The NTA anticipates that the public consultation on the draft GMATS will commence in Quarter 2 of 2024. The overall...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. I have therefore requested an update from the NTA in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (22 Feb 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 and construction 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: Road Projects (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland. The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 were governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government had committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the committee for the invitation today to review our Climate Action Plan 2023 and to outline actions that we are taking to cut emissions in the transport sector. I am joined by my officials from the Department of Transport, including Mr. Caoimhín Ó Ciaruáin, assistant secretary responsible for the Department’s climate pillar; Mr. Naoise Grisewood and Mr. John...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I will start, as the Chair has done, by recognising the tragic loss of two young people near Askeaton the night before last. Our first thoughts when it comes to the Limerick, Shannon and Clare region are about the horrible consequences of those road fatalities and injuries for the families of the people who we have lost. We must focus on that in everything we do. The Chair is right that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Technological University of the Shannon. I am sorry. Similarly, on the eastern side of the city, there is the likes of a region such as Ballysimon, which is close to the centre, where we could put significant new development in. Similarly, on the reopening of the rail line to Foynes, if you look at the Dooradoyle region and Raheen, again it is a matter of reopening. It is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is right in that it is a very significant amount of money for a single road project, although I would argue in this case that it should not be seen just as that road project. I have had the great privilege of being able to go round the counties. The next county I will visit tomorrow will be County Meath. I sat down with each council for several hours to get an understanding of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Yes. As I said, that was originally signed off in 2005. We do not reverse decisions. As a State, we tend to prefer to keep to our word. That was appropriate in this case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I was at this committee previously with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and I was very critical of the strategy that was in place. That has changed with the Green Party coming into Government. The previous strategy was to expand capacity on private cars.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: If I could be permitted to answer the question, pretty much all of the approach roads to the M50, including the N11, were due for major expansion. As I saw it, the previous plans for the N11 were major expansions in road capacity. They included all sorts of new construction, including going up over the Glen of the Downs. Some of the options were incredible, to my mind. In an effort to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the Deputy's kind words at the start. It is important that we do not give people a sense that it is not possible; real change is possible on decarbonising. While we do not yet have the final figures my estimate is that we will see at least a 5% reduction in emissions last year, which is what we were planning for. It is slightly ahead of what the Climate Advisory Council set so...