Results 3,221-3,240 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I ask the Deputy to come back to me and let me know.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is right that antisocial behaviour on our public transport systems is a real scourge. I fully recognise that those who regularly use and work within our public transport network are directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network. I reassure the Deputy that Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland both take the safety and security of passengers and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The National Transport Authority's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area, which I approved early last year, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042 and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow. Having a transport strategy is vital to ensure we assess...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: No.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I agree it takes us too long to build public transport projects and all projects in this State. Our planning and legal system and other elements are part of the problem. The timescale the Deputy mentioned is far too long. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that we could and should have a railway order by 2027 and can start construction after that. Construction would take three to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: We have just started funding the design team, which is the first thing that has to be done.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, but we cannot construct without planning permission. We need a railway order. Legally, we have to get that first.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, but we have to get the design first and we have set up the team to deliver that. We can go to construction once we get the railway order. There is a shortfall in funding. This is often very contentious because representatives from various constituencies come to me and ask me to fund X, Y and Z. That funding should prioritise public transport because it has been totally underfunded...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: It is true we have challenges in getting bus drivers and mechanics across all networks and all bus operators. We are addressing that. Availability of mechanics is very tight. As with many of the systems in our economy, we are at full employment. It is a challenge but we are addressing that. When bus passengers feel frustrated where a bus is cancelled, there is an immediate regulatory...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: For the past two years, this Government has delivered a new or enhanced rural bus service every week. The numbers have doubled in the past year so I do not agree with Deputy Tóibín’s analysis in terms of inability to deliver new services. I also fundamentally disagree if he is saying it is acceptable that a car would be in the bus lane. It is not. That is illegal and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I fully accept what the Deputy said about there being occasions when someone is left at the bus stop, the real-time information not being accurate and the bus not appearing or being full. We can never be fully satisfied with the service. We have to really improve the payments system and the online monitoring system and accelerate the provision of road space in order that we can improve bus...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: If we take BusConnects in Dublin as an example, we have been introducing spines that are reorganising the routes and are designed to improve connectivity, and we now have to follow up with the corridors and build the physical infrastructure to improve bus times and make conditions for cycling and walking better. The evidence is that when we put in these new spines, straighten the routes and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: This Government is absolutely committed to improving public transport throughout the country, as is demonstrated through the significant service and infrastructural investments in recent years as well as the various fare initiatives that have been introduced. Over recent years we have reduced average fares on all public service obligation, PSO, services by 20%, helping people with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services, not only in Dublin but also in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority, NTA. In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of BusConnects comprises 12 core bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy is aware, Smarter Travel is a national behavioural change programme, led by the NTA, which supports employers and third level institutions to implement voluntary Travel Plans. These plans focus on promoting and encouraging staff and students to sustainably and actively commute and beyond, and for organisations to consider flexible working arrangements. Campuses are also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Student Travel Card (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. Budget 2024 has allocated €613 million to support Public Service Obligation services across the State. This Budget allocation builds on the investments secured in recent years which have supported...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Our Programme for Government commits to a ‘fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland’ and this is supported by the National Development Plan and significant investment plans to maintain, enhance and improve transport infrastructure across the country by 2030. The BusConnects programme is a key element of these plans. However, I acknowledge that there are a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to thank the Deputy for his question. The Mallow Relief Road is identified as a project for consideration in the current National Development Plan. Town bypasses allow for traffic to be redirected from the centre of our towns and villages, freeing them up for pedestrians and cyclists, improving air quality, and allowing public realm improvements. In the case of Mallow, this will have a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I understand when you refer to Phase 1 of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road you are speaking about the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road project. For clarity, the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road was submitted and approved by An Bord Pleanála as a stand alone scheme; however, I am aware that the scheme is sometimes referred to locally as Phase 1 of the Limerick...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (1 Feb 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to thank the Deputy for his question. My Department and TII are committed a safe network of National Roads. With regard to safety barriers, locations are identified through Road Safety Inspections, which is a proactive approach used by TII to identify suitable locations for safety measures, which may include the installation of barriers. These inspections are carried out on every...