Results 5,961-5,980 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (9 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 204, inclusive, together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decision making on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (9 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route 30 X30, are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I have looked at this issue and the local area in detail. The historical train station is 1 km or 2 km from the village of Killucan and there is no housing adjacent to the station. This is one of the issues the council must consider. If we do put a station, where will we put it on such a route? What are the housing plans for the area? It would be hugely beneficial if we connected the two...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: There have been significant initiatives in the lifetime of the Government to improve public transport, particularly its affordability. There was a 20% reduction for all users and a 60% reduction for those under 24. In Dublin, 90-minute fares were introduced, so you can go from one public transport mode to another with a single fare. Only last week, new fare structures were introduced that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I am keen to get the details. I used to do a lot of hitching over the years. Is that what the Deputy is talking about? Is it a hitching scheme?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Would the driver be paid?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Our mobility hubs will provide a very good example of that. I look forward to rolling them out right across the country.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: On the basis of the initiatives I mentioned, including a reduction in fares of about 60% for those under 24, we are seeing a significant increase in public transport here by comparison with other European cities. The Deputy is effectively saying we should provide cars to people for free.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Would that not just blow our climate budget and public transport system? Free cars for everyone would-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Just some individuals.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: So everyone would have a free car.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Costs (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In that would lie madness, given the traffic implications, to say the least.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I am glad to confirm that my Department has engaged with Iarnród Éireann on a possible future station in the Killucan–Kinnegad area. An initial discussion on the potential reopening of Killucan station took place between my Department and Iarnród Éireann on 15 June 2022. Following this discussion, Iarnród Éireann was asked by my Department to prepare an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have the detail on the exact starting date but am sure it is imminent. The funding has been provided. Given that the starting date is for a study rather than building works, I see no reason it should not be in the immediate future, but I will revert to the Deputy on it. I mentioned Westmeath County Council in my contribution. It is important that we frame the decision not only...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In the first instance, I believe it is the Minister for Finance who has the signing order on any such measures and he or she would have a key role in anything. I go back to the point I made already that we cannot do this as a punitive thing where certain workers are forced into a workforce transport mode and then have the conditions change from under their feet, as it were. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I fully agree with the Deputy. As I said, that local knowledge helped to inform the significant change that took place between the first and second iterations. That will continue to be needed. Public representatives also have a key role because they represent the people and have similar knowledge of the area. Both councillors and Deputies have a critical role to play. I encourage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I absolutely agree about the consequences of not listening and the need to avail of local knowledge. I am glad the Deputy had a two-hour meeting with the representatives of the NTA. I have been involved in transport campaigning for 30 or 40 years, and in every single instance I can recall where we restricted traffic in some way, there have been valid concerns about what will happen to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government’s position on parking, including workplace parking, is largely reflected in the recent climate action plan. Broadly speaking, the plan recognises the role of car parking, and the availability and price thereof, in people’s choice to use a car, and the associated impacts this can have on climate emissions as well as on traffic congestion and the efficient...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I think such a levy goes back to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parking Provision (4 May 2023)

Eamon Ryan: It must have been updated further. Either way, the point is that we have been talking about this for a long time. It is not an easy one. It is very sensitive. In many cases, people were locked into certain transport systems because of 50 or 60 years of car-dependent planning. We need that to change. It is about a combination of measures and not any one. We want to avoid punitive...