Results 61-80 of 29,417 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: It was not a short delay due to the absence of the administration in Northern Ireland. I wish it had been short but it took a long time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Well, for the guts of two years the Assembly was not in place and the administration in the North was not in place.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: No, but that is just the reality. The reopening of the western rail corridor is of vital strategic importance for the national planning framework and better balanced regional development in our country. It should include the section between Athenry and Claremorris. It does not propose an extension to Sligo. However, the reopening from Athenry to Claremorris is of huge benefit because...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I have been clear in my position for the past two years and particularly since the publication of the review. It does not include the extension of the rail corridor from Claremorris north east towards Sligo. That makes a strong case for the use of that line as a greenway, as the Deputy suggested, and the benefit of that is we would be able to hold a line so that, if at some future date it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: There are indeed different voices in that regard. That will need to be clarified in the coming months when we come to priority decisions around whether we make this strategic leap towards supporting the west and supporting rail freight.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, the national planning framework calls for enhanced land-side access to Dublin Airport, particularly in public transport terms. I also note that the local authority’s local area plan for the airport requires that any planning application to increase passenger numbers at the airport must clearly demonstrate the transport infrastructure and measures required...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: There has been a significant increase in public transport. As I said, 1,000 buses a day are going to and from the airport. This is a 10% increase on the bus services available last year. As the Deputy said, we have further bus improvements planned. There has also been a 20% increase in the number of taxi permits operating at the airport. The vast majority of passengers using taxis are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Significant bus enhancements are coming. The first we want to see is the planning decision on the Swords bus corridor. As soon as that is delivered, we will go into the process of implementing the BusConnects programme. A series of new services are planned that will come in with that initiation. These include the L81, L83 and L85 services, which are planned to serve the airport and go...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As I am sure the Deputy will be aware, the all-island strategic rail review has been undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net-zero carbon targets in both jurisdictions. Work on the review is now at an advanced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: This Government recognises the importance of accessible and efficient transport links in rural Ireland for fostering social inclusion, economic development, and overall quality of life. In support of this, our ambitious plan for rural connectivity, Connecting Ireland, has seen exponential growth in rural transport services over the last few years, with over 100 new and expanded services...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been developed to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of Cork up to 2040, including the rail system in the area. Good progress has been made in delivering key projects within the Strategy, including the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. This Programme represents...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I want to assure the Deputy that I recognise that transport connectivity is hugely important for people who live and work in Ireland and it is key to bringing life back into our villages, towns and urban centres. I am strongly committed to providing all citizens with safe, reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and our new Connecting Ireland programme plays a key role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As committed to in the current National Development Plan, the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. This Rail Review was announced by me in 2021, in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have no plans to introduce congestion charging at this time. However, there is no denying that congestion is a problem. At a national level, the cost of congestion to the economy is projected to reach €2 billion by 2040. So to help address the issue of congestion, I recently published for public consultation a draft Strategy 'Moving Together: A...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I would like to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address the comfort break policy that Dublin Bus has for its drivers. I want to start by reassuring the Deputy that Dublin Bus is fully committed to ensuring that all of their employees working across the network, such as drivers or mechanics, have adequate and appropriate access to bathroom facilities while carrying out their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for his question. I know that this project is of great interest to him. The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the National Development Plan. The greater portion of the funding for new road projects becomes available in the second half of the decade, and this has meant that there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Park-and-Ride Facilities (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including park & ride facilities. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) established a Park and Ride Development...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. Funding under the Active Travel Programme is focused on...