Results 781-800 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (30 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (30 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the shelter at Killester train station. Noting the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (30 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (30 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: This Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to progress the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway. The Deputy may be aware that my Department has concluded its initial assessment of Waterford Airport’s development proposal in line with the requirements under the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework. This Framework ensures...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Policies (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department understands that large-volume users of subsea telecoms cables have a policy of using multiple subsea cables, running on different routes, to transmit their data bound for international destinations. This is to ensure route diversity for international connectivity and to avoid an over reliance on any individual cable, therefore delivering a highly resilient and reliable service....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243, 244 and 245 together. A priority deliverable under the National Biomethane Strategy is the development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter. The charter is currently in its final stages of development in consultation with other Government Departments, State Agencies, and key societal stakeholders. It will set out best practice guidelines: to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: No Section 14 authorisation has been issued to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) by officials in my Department for the restocking of pike into Lough Corrib SAC during stock management operations. My Department issues authorisations to applicants seeking approval under Section 14 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, which allows them carry out a range of different functions including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Angling Advisory Group (AAG) meetings in question took place on 6 August 2024 and 15 October 2024, with some members attending in person and some remotely. Following any meeting, draft minutes are prepared, circulated for review to all members of the Group and subsequently discussed and proposed for agreement and approval at subsequent AAG meetings. Until formally approved and agreed,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The development of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector is a significant and complex undertaking and will take account of all significant developments and challenges around conservation, ecological and environmental issues over recent years. The policy statement will also have regard to ongoing initiatives such as the Inland Fisheries Ireland's (IFI) Corporate Planning...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Official Engagements (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It is my Department’s policy position to strongly encourage and boost investment in Ireland’s national and international subsea telecommunications connectivity. This position is underpinned by the National Development Plan and the National Digital Strategy, ‘Harnessing Digital – the Digital Ireland Framework’, which both respectively highlight the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Natural Gas Imports (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The current planning application, referred to by the Deputy, from Shannon LNG is a matter for An Bord Pleanala. Any application for fossil fuel infrastructure in Ireland will be subject to the planning, consenting and regulatory approvals by appropriate relevant bodies and the provision of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015-2021 will apply.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The Programme for Government also commits to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 were introduced to ensure environmentally sound management of tyres placed on the Irish market throughout their lifecycle. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020-2025, however, commits to extending this provision to these categories of tyre to ensure best environmental management and the fair distribution of costs across...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The requirement to hold a permit for coarse fishing applies in several coarse fishing locations across Ireland, including the Lee Reservoirs in Co. Cork, which is one of the most popular competition venues in Ireland attracting World Championships and local events on a regular basis. Moreover, the Assaroe Lake in Co. Donegal, the Blessington Lakes in Wicklow/Dublin and both the River Inny and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Postcode System (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing addresses, as well as changes to existing addresses, and Tailte Éireann solely provide the geo-locations (latitude and longitude) for all these addresses. An Post GeoDirectory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Official Travel (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Payments in accordance with the provisions of Circular 01/2020 (Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel) are made into the Climate Action Fund (CAF) for which my Department has responsibility. It is important to note that payments are not made directly into the CAF, as any transfers into the CAF are subject to prior approval by the Minister for Public...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Bodies (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is the statutory body responsible for regulation in the maritime area. Section 64(1) of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides that MARA may, with the consent of the Minister and approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, appoint such and so many persons to be members of staff as the Authority may...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Responsibilities (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Primary responsibility for biodiversity and nature restoration policy falls under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and with the Minister of State responsible for the National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS). My officials work closely with NPWS and other Government Departments on biodiversity-related issues. In May 2019 the Oireachtas voted on and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government addresses the challenges regarding the sustainability of data centres by committing to allow data centres that contribute both to economic growth and efficient grid usage, by enhancing the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and energy effective solutions. The Programme for Government also sets out our commitment to achieving 80% of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Regulatory Bodies (29 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 2025 makes a commitment to "prioritise a review and reform of the legislation underpinning the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU)" and to "emphasise that low costs for households and businesses are a central tenet in the updated mandate of the CRU". Since early 2024, my Department has been working closely with the CRU to undertake a review of its...