Results 5,301-5,320 of 6,809 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (6 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: 131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the EU connectivity toolbox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36446/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: No, that is fine. We may have a second round, but I am happy with those responses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for the presentation and the update. Much of the media coverage in the last number of weeks has flagged concern about the prospect of blackouts and the number of system alerts, with six in the last 12 months compared to 11 in the past ten years. It is reported, and I am not sure if it was scheduled, that Huntstown in Dublin and Whitegate in Cork are down. I am not...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I refer to the digital Covid certificate, which went live across the EU today. Ireland is the only country that was not in compliance with the regulations. We have missed this deadline, although it was not a deadline for us. There are many who are concerned we will miss the deadline of 19 July. We are told we will be emailed our vaccine record but nobody submitted their email address...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: We are heading into another summer when very many school secretaries will have to go on jobseeker’s allowance again. A commitment in this regard is contained in the programme for Government. This commitment was made by the Minister’s party when it was in opposition and by the Tánaiste last October. I welcome the engagement but school secretaries and their representatives...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. It is important to state there are issues of equality and fairness and regarding the rights of workers. In addition, there are also real issues of potential hardship. Therefore, time is important and of the essence. I reiterate the frustration - and it is frustration - felt by school secretaries and their representatives regarding the rate and speed of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask Minister for Education how she will address the long-standing shortage of school transport places across the State, if she is engaged in capacity planning, and her views on whether it will be possible that each child who wants a place in the bus will receive one.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: Each year parents are faced with the same problems, when it comes to the school bus transport scheme. It is fair to say the scheme is popular, but it is over-subscribed. The question arises in terms of who is eligible and who is excluded. I would like to know the Minister's assessment of those who are excluded. What percentage of people are on concessionary tickets? What number of people...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: The scale of the ambition is not nearly where it needs to be. In the last 20 years, we have seen a 6% decrease in the number of people who avail of school bus transport, and a 31% increase in the number of children travelling to school by car. That is inconsistent with where we need to be going in terms of our modal shift. There are many compelling reasons to move people from the private...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Staff (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister the steps she has taken to achieve pay equality and pension entitlements for school secretaries, in accordance with the commitments given by Government.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Jul 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: 200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process for persons to obtain the EU Digital COVID Certificate; if persons will receive their certificate in advance of 19 July 2021; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for his opening statement and the notes he provided. I have a question on the master licence record and the motor third-party liability database. The committee sought advice from the Data Protection Commission, DPC, in this regard. I do not know whether the Minister has had sight of it. The advice outlined a number of observations and comments that are important and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Mr. O'Leary. A somewhat related issue was brought to my attention by another good Cork man, Deputy Gould. It concerns the sale of vehicles to people who either do not have a licence, perhaps because they are under age, or have a licence that is suspended for whatever reason. There was at least one example of a tragic outcome in such circumstances in Cork. I want to flag this issue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: That is helpful. I have a couple of points for the Minister. There is a huge amount contained in the Bill and it is doing a huge amount of work. In regard to changes to the regulation of driving instruction, I encourage the Minister to engage with the sector. The committee has met with representatives of driving instructors. They are organised and engaged as they try to come out of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: It is a frustration for people whose tests have been postponed on a number of occasions and who have been waiting a number of months. I understand the rationale but, if there are cancellations, I call for people who have been waiting the longest to be prioritised and dealt with first, if at all possible.

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. The preparation of development plans are important and shape the development of a county for the life of the plan. At their heart has to be the principal of participation and a commitment by local and central government that the vision set out in the written statements and maps comes to fruition. Meath County Council's plan is at an advanced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Costs (29 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: 126. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the growing cost of cargo shipping to Ireland (details supplied); if his Department has conducted an assessment of this growing cost, the reasons behind it, the future trends and the implications for industry here; if he will provide details of this assessment and outline his plans to address this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Costs (29 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: 130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has an assessment of the practice of blank sailing in deep-sea shipping; his views on whether this practice is contributing to the increased cost of shipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34769/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Costs (29 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: 127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the growing cost of cargo shipping to Ireland (details supplied); if his Department has conducted an assessment of this growing cost, the reasons behind it, the future trends and the implications for industry here; the details of this assessment; his plans to address this important issue; and if he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed). (29 Jun 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. I have a couple of questions. Do the witnesses see an expanded role for the EPA in the time ahead and a growth in the importance its work? In that regard, does the EPA have any asks of the Government in respect of that expanded role, its budget, staffing, the staff mix and the projection into the future? To what extent are inventories and projections self-declared?...