Results 3,441-3,460 of 6,812 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the National Ports Policy review will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50527/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) regarding the readiness of ports for the construction and installation of offshore wind; if he has considered the report and plans to ensure that Irish ports are ready to construct and install offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50512/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he intends to support Rosslare Port to become ready to act as a construction and installation port for offshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50513/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. Mr. Walsh mentioned the cultural piece where people use an NCT as a diagnostic and then either they or a mechanic carries out any repairs. He framed that culture as a problem and obviously it has an impact on resources. I would have thought that the culture was born out of people getting their vehicle serviced, going for an NCT but issues arise and then people have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Servicing a vehicle. Most people want to get their vehicle through the NCT but, in my understanding, from people I have spoken to, they got the car serviced, they went for the NCT and it did not get through, and they then had to do it again. A culture has arisen out of that whereby people say they will throw the vehicle in for a test, see what comes up and then have the car serviced. Is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Our guests indicated demand is increasing and is projected to continue to do so. They referred to 1.5 million vehicles this year. How does that compare with 2019, for example? Where do they expect it to go next year and in the year after that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The normal cycle has changed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Do our guests have an estimate of what the demand might be in 2023 and beyond?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I take on board the point regarding the existing capacity and utilising it as much as possible. In terms of staffing, Mr. Walsh referred to 22 from Spain and a further 44, to give a total of 66. Is that the immediate ask or is there a business case for more than that? What is the workforce plan?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is on top of the 66.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Did Mr. Walsh say 615?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: On the 7% no-shows, I acknowledge they are a frustration, as they are in the health service with did-not-attends, DNAs, as I know from my own experience, and there is an opportunity cost. Is the figure increasing or decreasing? Is there something changing and new about it or is it common? Is there a plan to try to reduce it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: When do our guests expect to be down to an average wait time of 12 days?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: In regard to recruitment, driving licences and the delays, the Chairman asked about the RSA having to do the due diligence twice and our guests outlined the difference between the two occasions. Deputy Carey asked about the recruitment of part-time driving testers. On both occasions, our guests stated that they have to follow the rules, which are prescribed to them. Are they looking for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Is Mr. Walsh referring to the South African licences?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Part of the case Mr. Waide is making is that these are existing employees. They are employed on a contract and that contract is essentially rolled over. Agency staff in the HSE who are there for a couple of years get certain credentials with regard to permanent positions. Is Mr. Waide making such a case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Has the RSA made that case yet?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: We have identified another issue regarding bureaucracy. There is significant demand for bus drivers and lorry drivers in the Irish market. Can Mr. Waide see anything in that system that could increase efficiency and shorten the time to get those people fit and ready to work? I return to the point about the potential for duplication of assessments in having an initial superficial assessment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Mr. Waide mentioned the forum that is provided for in the road safety strategy. The committee may pick up on that as a possible forum.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Road Safety Authority (12 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I turn to driver tests. What are the waiting times for driver tests? Significant progress was made on the average waiting time but it now seems to be slipping. Where are we with regard to the average waiting time? Is there a plan to improve it? I think the SLA provides for ten weeks.