Results 7,781-7,800 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: No apologies have been achieved. This morning's meeting is to consider the Supplementary Estimates for the public services in respect of programme A of Vote 29 - Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Vote 31 - Department of Transport. I remind members that the committee has no role in approving the Estimates. It is an ongoing opportunity for the committee to...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister of State is just as good.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The RSA has issues with funding for retaining these staff. Would the Minister of State consider that, if a submission came in from RSA?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: No, no, no, but if-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: No, we are not in any way questioning the operational matter. The RSA operates it. However, we could be at cross purposes here. It is something that we will take up with the RSA, but if the issue here is that the RSA has inadequate funding to retain these 34 driving instructors, the committee is duty bound to ask. If it is a funding issue, I assume discussions are ongoing between the RSA...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is fair. Is that okay with Deputy Carey?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The committee will take it up with the RSA and then we will consider it and come back to the Minister of State. I have a few questions for the Minister of State. I will follow on from Deputy Carey's questions on the €90 million allocated for rural support. My understanding is the Government had to get approval from the European Commission for the €20 million. I thought that...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is it the exact same type of scheme?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Shannon has a significant season in terms of numbers. It was measured between March and June, but I am open to correction on that. What period is being looked at for the reduction in passenger numbers? Is it the same as the original application?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Between which periods does that compare?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Obviously, there is a significant seasonal aspect with Shannon. If one is comparing March and June, one will not see the same figures as from March to July, because there is considerable summer business. Will it be paid to the airports or the airlines?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is it up to the airport how it uses the money it will receive?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: However, it is has discretion as to how that is used in terms of incentives.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does the Minister have the time period?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I hope some seasonal factor is taken into account, because relative to Dublin passenger numbers, a much higher level of numbers come through Shannon in the summer, rather than the winter months, yet the winter months are vital for connectivity in terms of transatlantic, Heathrow and other routes. It is vital for us because we have both the business and tourism dimensions. We welcome that...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: How that funding is used will be at the discretion of the airport. Is that correct?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary)
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Are we talking about the first or second week in December?