Results 361-380 of 6,797 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I refer to programme A, sustainable mobility – active travel and greenways. Specifically, there has been massive State investment in active travel projects. I reference the R135 project in Ashbourne with a specific focus on value for money, oversight and delivery on time and on budget. This was a project that was initially welcomed but is now despised by the populace in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There is a need for the Department to ensure the NTA has an appraisal of these projects. It has a real impact. This project had €6 million allocated and a 100% overrun in terms of time. I expect it is a 100% overrun in budget as well, and maybe more. It was to be one element of a network of developments. What does the Minister imagine the response will be if the local authority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish the Minister well. I thank him for his engagements over this Dáil term in this committee, at the climate committee and in the Dáil Chamber. I wish him well for the future.

Carer's Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and colleagues for bringing forward this very important motion. It has the potential to be transformational. It is a necessary measure. People have mentioned the importance of it in recognising the work carers do. It is about valuing and respecting carers. It is a question of dignity and trust. I will make the point that it is usually women who are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State for being here. I accept that the senior Minister is not here. I did say that we really want to get behind what we have here in responses to written questions. We have detail but what the parents and local school community want are clear indications particularly on timelines. I had indicated that in my response to the Minister. I hope this can be a fruitful...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There is nothing new in that at all. I finished my last contribution with the children's letter about the temporary accommodation and the delay with that. There is concern with all of the delay in this project. The bigger problem is that the current situation is not suitable accommodation at all. That is why we need a new school building. I will point to the lack of an indoor hall,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP29: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: In the context of the upcoming COP, what indicators, language or text coming out of that regarding movement in the right direction are being considered? I presume the witnesses are encouraging the Irish delegation to use its influence at a European level to push in that direction. Are there particular asks from the witnesses regarding what they want to see at the back end of the COP?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP29: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State for being here today. I have a question on the public transport subhead, the reallocation of funding and the additional capital. I think that the Minister of State said there was a shift of €29 million from capital to current expenditure. It certainly is the case that there are increased numbers on public transport. I think it is a shared policy...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I can look at the cancellations: the 7.30 a.m. 103 service from Dublin to Ratoath; the 8.40 a.m. from Ratoath to Dublin; the 8.25 a.m. 109 from Dunshaughlin to Dublin; and the 7.42 a.m. NX from Dublin to Navan. Those were all cancellations this morning, which is, unfortunately, par for the course. Every one of those buses is full. There are 80 or 60 people. When those buses are cancelled,...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Am I okay for another question?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I might get the Minister of State to run through a couple of points briefly. He might come back to me on the 20% fare reduction in respect of private operators. There is a shared objective for public transport. There are ambitious plans in respect of Connecting Ireland and the rural bus transport network. I encourage the speedy roll-out of that. There are challenges relating to drivers,...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: On the 20% for private operators in terms of public transport, has that been or will it be considered?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State has name-checked his party colleagues in the mid-east very well but I am glad he acknowledges the hardest work is being done by myself and my colleague Councillor Maria White on the issues of public transport.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am learning here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP29: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. I refer to the potential role of tax harmonisation and policy. There is a UN framework convention on taxation. Do the witnesses think that is an important aspect of policy, in terms of trying to tackle tax havens and avoidance and ensure there is fairness and equity? Can we use taxation policy as a way to take climate action while ensuring sustainability and equality?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP29: Discussion (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The divestment Bill was mentioned, along with the many opportunities for perverse incentives, workarounds or money to go to exactly the wrong place. It is a huge area and there are a range of strands. I presume the objective needs to be to move as quickly as possible in order to close off those avenues and hold companies to account to ensure the flows of money are properly accounted for and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Energy Prices (5 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 61. To ask the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 23 October 2024, the cost of importing electricity energy in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [44349/24]