Results 4,921-4,940 of 7,127 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will follow on from the query on financing. The Minister of State gave some details which seemed to contradict some of the information in the public domain. I ask the Minister of State why NBI's investors were permitted to fund the company through high-cost loans on which they will earn significant interest, instead of through the purchase of shares. It is reported that there was a...

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: It was reported that NBI investors, largely David McCourt, were allowed to take approximately €38 million in fees out of NBI in 2020 to cover the costs incurred in the bidding process. That is reported. I ask the Minister whether that is the case and if so, whether it runs contrary to the project information memo, which clearly states on page 110 that bidders had to foot their own costs.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank our witnesses for attending. I did not get a chance to participate in the site visit. The way this place works is that we have a direct clash today, and that is often the way things work. I thank the witnesses for the information they have been providing in recent months. They will be aware, however, that people care most about delivery and connections. Hopefully, we can address...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: It is not possible to share ESB poles.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Does the pole go back in the same place?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: In an 80 km zone, is the pole required to be further from the side of the road, does that bring NBI on the private side, and is that a problem for it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: My question then is, is it workable and is NBI content with it, or is it in practice a problem that is contributing to delays?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: In terms of addressing this, is it done centrally or by each local authority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Mr. Malone mentioned there has been an improvement in the working relationship with local authorities. On previous occasions I raised the issue of Meath County Council. How are relations with that local authority? Has Mr. Malone the figures for where we are in regard to the roll-out and where we might expect to be in this calendar year, as he had for other counties?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What about subsequent years?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: For my part I will encourage all parties to move with the progress as quickly as possible. To give some comfort to people, there have been reports over some weeks in regard to questions on finances, governance and control at NBI, which are complex matters, and the public wants to know the company is sound, secure and fit to deliver on the project people desperately want delivered. Can NBI...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for attending and taking questions on such a wide range of issues. I will focus on a few areas, one of which is active travel. The Government has made a significant commitment on this issue and there was a launch earlier this week. The bike-to-work scheme excludes large numbers of people. Should it be expanded? Should we have a central plan for our cycle network? We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will come back and give an alternative view. I agree with what the Minister said about the city. Many people living in rural and regional areas, who are not serviced by good public transport and in some cases none at all, are forced into car ownership. We heard from Dr. Hannah Daly and others at the climate committee about long-term affordability. I have lived that experience myself...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: No, it is separate. There are particular issues at the Navan to Drogheda end because there is an old navigation pathway along the Boyne, which is a complication in terms of development, but there are not the same constraints on the Navan to Trim section. However, that is not proceeding and it is something we would like to see progress at a pace.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Sustainable Energy Communities (25 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 174. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Local Energy Assessment Fund funding for sustainable energy communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3063/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (25 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 188. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that the target of 500,000 homes to be retrofitted by 2030 and with 400,000 heat pump installations was calculated; the carbon reduction that each proposal is expected to deliver in each year until 2030; the alternative targets and estimated carbon reduction savings that were considered; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Reports (25 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a list of external reports commissioned in 2021; the cost of each; the external reports that were received by his Department in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3561/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (25 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will reinstate the EU rules on driving time and resting time for hauliers; the safety and impact assessments that were carried out in advance of the relaxing of these rules; if he will publish the findings of these assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2956/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Climate Action Plan (25 Jan 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown by mode and year of the 500,000 additional daily public transport and active travel journeys by 2030 as outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/22]