Results 281-300 of 28,190 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I look forward to working with the Deputy in the coming weeks and months on our further plans to create more employment in the airport. As the Deputy knows, it is important that the people in my area and hers have good paying jobs to support their families and quality of life. There is no padded-out answer here. I am putting things in context because there is a lot happening with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I will take on board the suggestion she made on the W4 route to the airport in the interim. I have given her the best answer I can in regard to the N8 route. There are lots of good things happening all across Dublin in regard to public transport and we want to build on the progress that has been made over the past five years, no less so in Dublin 15. I will not again...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Programme (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his support for this initiative. It is important we ensure there is safety on our public transport network right across the country. I want to assure him that we are actively progressing the legislative proposals required to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to establish that transport security force. I have worked very closely with the NTA. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A Massey Ferguson.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy O'Gorman. He has indeed raised this matter here before. I launched the National Policy Framework on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, on 20 August 2025, making Ireland one of the first European Union member states to publish a dedicated policy in relation to drones. The policy framework aims to guide high-level strategic planning for, and the development of, the UAS...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I know the Deputy's area very well. We have adjacent constituencies. I have spoken to many people in the Blanchardstown-Castleknock area. There has been a change. Many deliveries are being made by drone that would have been made by car, van and other methods. That is another consideration and something to think about. Do we want more traffic or do we want drones? We have to manage that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Nothing is right with Deputy Coppinger. She suffers everything.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The reality is that this is an emerging sector. It is in its infancy. We can be at the leading edge of innovation in this sector. To answer the Deputy's question directly, the implementation of this framework is the whole purpose of the monitoring group. We have to start from somewhere. We are one of the first countries, if not the first, to publish such a framework document. It will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have said I will take cognisance of this and, in fairness, Deputy Connolly has raised it previously. Certainly it is something on which I will revert with regard to what other measures can be taken in the interim. We are doing work on the commuter rail network as Deputy Connolly knows. Significant work is being done at Ceannt Station, Oranmore Station and other stations. I take Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Not being flippant but I also saw some really good shops in Heuston Station, and good work has been done at stations throughout the network whereby people can buy a drink, a bottle of water or a cup of tea. Having said this, to be fair-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: What was that?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I will answer Deputy Daly. This is an issue he has raised previously with regard to when catering services will be rolled out again. I completely understand people's wish to see services return on all rail lines. However, if there is a choice between the taxpayer funding actual rail services or catering services on trains I am clear, as I have been previously, that taxpayer funding is best...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To answer Deputy Daly's question, I have encouraged Iarnród Éireann and the NTA to explore other avenues to support the wider reintroduction of catering services. I was honest with Deputy Daly about the costs. If the NTA were to award a contract at four times the cost of what operated prior to Covid, questions would rightly be asked about it. I have asked the NTA and Iarnród...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I know.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I do get the point. A number of our rail cars and rail lines have the facilities on the trains. I have looked, and I have asked Iarnród Éireann and the NTA to explore other options, including the option Deputy Daly has articulated here today. I am hopeful this will bear fruit shortly. Deputy Daly has asked this question regularly, as have Government colleagues. I understand the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Regardless of the Deputy’s own views, and she has taken a position on the ring road, one could discuss the delays and why it has taken so long. People have had their say and there are judicial reviews. That is the planning process. The Deputy mentioned the Department’s own study and the reality that, even if that road was built, it would be under pressure but Galway - the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I explained in my initial answer that the light rail feasibility study, as the Deputy knows, had been published. What I am trying to say is how all of that knits together. The road is an important part of it. A simple question that I could ask in countering what the Deputy said, and respecting the position she is taking, is whether the traffic situation in Galway would be better with an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To be fair, the contract was only awarded in August 2024, so that is how long we have been waiting. It is now the end of September 2025. I met the chief executive who came to my offices in Leeson Lane. I put to him the very point the Deputy put about the national train control centre. There are many reasons for that overrun, but it will deliver a state-of-the-art centre. Having said...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The NTA has a lot under its remit. I have confidence it will deliver it. I have met the programme manager and have asked many of the questions the Deputy just put. That is my job and I should do so. It is a significant investment on the part of the Exchequer. It will make a big difference to commuters. I mentioned earlier in responses to colleagues in the House the significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 119 together. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na gceisteanna tábhachtacha. Aontaím léi faoi chathair na Gaillimhe. The National Transport Authority is currently developing the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council. It will replace the existing...