Results 6,181-6,200 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (19 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic. I welcome also the establishment of the Department and the focus on third level and higher education. The third level experience presents people with the opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain additional skills, and it is transformative in its nature. A central theme needs to be around access and ensuring that all people,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (19 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 87. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Government position on the disposing of waste in landfills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/20]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Interdepartmental Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 32. To ask the Taoiseach the membership of the high-level technical group on international travel; the remit and responsibility of the group; the number of times the group has met; the advices it has given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure public transport bus links are maintained between Dublin and Belfast in view of Bus Éireann’s decision to suspend the Dublin to Belfast bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37191/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated number of passengers that used bus transport links between Dublin and Belfast in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses and Mr. Hendrick. I have a question specifically related to the implications of Covid-19. I appreciate that it is almost the worst-case scenario. Demand is now more geographically dispersed and intense, but NBI's ability to deliver on that is constrained by Covid-19. Mr. Hendrick mentioned a number of milestones that have been achieved, which are welcome. Are there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: The programme for Government and some media reports indicate that NBI might be able to fast-track and come in ahead of schedule. We are hearing that we are coming on budget or under budget, which would be welcome news to the taxpayer. Has the ambition to come in ahead of schedule in the roll-out of the programme overall been affected by Covid-19 or to what extent is it a realistic proposition?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask Mr. Malone for a 30-second update on County Meath. I want to ask Mr. Hendrick an open-ended question. The committee has spoken with one voice today and despite the fact we might have been starting from different positions, we all want to end up in the same place. NBI has a responsibility for the intervention areas and it can see there are significant problems in the non-intervention...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I asked Mr. Malone about the situation in County Meath.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Care Services (17 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 739. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the lessons learned by the HSE; the improvements made to ensure the protection of residents in this and other facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36404/20]

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I raise the issue of the appointment of Ms Geraldine Feeney to SIPO.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I know the Business Committee has already met so there will be no other opportunity to raise this. Does the Tánaiste believe it is appropriate to appoint a former lobbyist for the National Association of General Practitionersto SIPO, which has responsibility, in the first instance, to investigate allegations of the leaking of confidential documents to that organisation? Does he not see...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: In terms of standing over whether it is inappropriate, will the Tánaiste withdraw the nomination?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Transport Services (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: During the previous Priority Questions, I raised the issue of a route the NTA part-funded and also provided school bus transport. There is a solution on the table that will serve the rural communities of Skreen, Walterstown and Kentstown and will also provide for those schoolchildren left without school bus transport since September. Will the Minister support the proposal from Flexibus? It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the State should be involved in creating and expanding shipping routes directly to the Continent in preparation for Brexit; the engagements he has had to date with shipping companies on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35957/20]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: An estimated 150,000 heavy goods vehicles use the British land bridge every year to move goods between Ireland and the Continent. My question is about the preparations the Department is making to enable that movement of goods to continue given the challenges presented by Brexit.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State will be aware that there was a significant reaction from the haulage industry to the IMDO's report. Hauliers contested the conclusions that were drawn in it, particularly in regard to ro-ro capacity. They also pointed out that we do not have daily ferry connections. When I raised this issue previously with the Minister of State, she said that individual hauliers...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Strategy (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I attended a webinar last Friday, which was addressed by the Minister, and this was, understandably, one of the significant issues that came up for discussion. I welcome the Minister of State's further elaborations in that regard. Where are we at in terms of preparations for the checks and controls that will be required on our side, including the three-step process? What action has been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: There is no quick fix for this, it looks like we will have at least another year of these extended delays. A total of18 additional testers have been hired. Has the option of extended working days, including testing on Sundays, evenings and early mornings, to expand the capacity been considered? To what extent has that been explored, and how quickly will the Minister of State's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to come back to driving instructors. I have been contacted by driving instructors over the past number of weeks who have been refused entry to driving testing centres. Yesterday, I was sent a video to my phone from the west of Ireland, showing female and male driving instructors in rain that was falling horizontally and they were outside with a collapsable chair and an umbrella....