Results 3,381-3,400 of 6,809 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Public Transport: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank everyone who contributed to the debate. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, stated that some elements of the motion "do not properly reflect the progress to date in this area, the work currently under way or the Government's future plans for public transport." I do not know what that means. We have set out, for example, in the area of Connecting Ireland, the rural bus plan...

Public Transport: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes: — that the transport sector accounts for 17.7 per cent of our total greenhouse gas emissions, and investment in public transport can play a central role in helping to reduce carbon emissions; — that expanding affordable, accessible and reliable public transport infrastructure across the island can deliver environmental,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 477. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that illness benefit recipients are excluded from the autumn double payment and the Christmas bonus payment; if this matter will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53348/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 478. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will list, by social welfare payment type, those included and excluded from the autumn double payment and the Christmas bonus payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53349/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP27: Discussion (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. In relation to the non-proliferation treaty, the Energy Charter Treaty, the recent report about energy security and what infrastructure might be needed in the future in Ireland, what are Mr. McEvilly's thoughts on how all of that can be squared? The energy security review came with a short list and a long list of options.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP27: Discussion (25 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Would it be consistent with that non-proliferation treaty that is being spoken of?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. We examined this previously. To extend the 20% fare reduction to the CBO sector would cost in the region of €24 million over a 12-month period. Is it safe to say that it would be an ask today for that 20% fare reduction to be extended to the commercial bus operator sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: We do not have to go outside my constituency as we have Ashbourne Connect in our area, which is reducing services.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is something the committee should pick up on because it is making a difference in those services, as we can see. Mr. Crowley raised fuel variation clauses the last time he was before the committee. Has there been any progress on that? Has the situation improved or deteriorated?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The committee has had hearings previously relating to other sectors and we have seen progress from Government. It is something we should continue to pursue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Mr. Conway raised the issue in his opening statement about the challenges in delivering on licences and dealing with local authorities. He specifically mentioned that there is a demand from the NTA that services be fully operational by 7 November. Will he provide some information on the common-sense flexibility the commercial coach industry is asking for? What is it asking for specifically?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What services does this relate to?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Are they new or existing routes or-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is something we should support as a committee. On school transport, no one will be more familiar than the witnesses with the challenges that arose out of the increased demand. There was a commitment in the budget that extra funding would be provided for people who had previously been accommodated on the school transport scheme on a concessionary basis. We have been told by Bus...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That might be an opportunity to unlock some capacity.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. I have a couple of quick questions. When this report was first reported on in the media, it landed very strangely. People were surprised by it. I expect the witnesses have been challenged on it and will be challenged here today. I would like to know about the robustness of the research. I do not know if this type of research has been conducted in the past in this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the assumptions made in the report is that there would be a change in the speed limits on motorways but there is no comparable speed limit on local roads or regional roads. That incentive or time benefit would have a significant application in terms of opportunities for collisions or anything like that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The witnesses are going to do that piece of work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: This is my interest in the subject. This diversion is already happening on roads all over my constituency. People come off motorways like the M1 in heavy goods vehicles and go through Slane or Kilmoon Cross. I hear about the congestion on the traffic reports every morning. People come off the M3 to avoid the tolls and come through the Fairyhouse roundabout. We have heard from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Coach Sector: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Has TII ever specifically been asked to look at tolling policy and how it might be tweaked to incentivise an efficient use of our road network from a climate perspective, or any other perspective?