Results 8,321-8,340 of 26,185 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: So by definition, the 2:1 ratio is actually much higher than 2:1 because the €360 million for active travel is really about public transport, which is very positive. We obviously want to push in that direction. The Minister is right. Up to 2025, there is not a huge amount of headroom based on the current spending proposals but many projects will get going from 2025. I want to deal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I take that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: But they must be connected by motorway. They are not mutually exclusive arguments. I agree with the Minister about rail, public transport and active travel. I have been at this a long time and I passionately believe that if we are to take that pressure off Dublin and compete with it on an international scale, we need to be equally served. I want to be certain that someone can get from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will not get the synergies. We will differ on that point. We will not get the synergies to make us competitive on a national and international level with the Atlantic corridor unless we get that fast connection between the cities; both rail and road. Whether we like it or not, nearly 80% of the road between Cork and Limerick has no hard shoulder. It is lethal and it does not work. TII...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is a totally separate issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are lucky in Limerick in that we have an existing rail network, which will cost a lot of taxpayers' money but will not be prohibitive. We have a rail network going by Shannon Airport so we can do the spur. We can upgrade the rail line between Limerick Junction and Limerick city, which will take 20 minutes off a train journey from Cork to Limerick with a direct service. The last missing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: One cannot disadvantage the rest of Ireland to sort a problem in Dublin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, that is what the Minister is doing. Is the Minister anti road?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the Minister anti motorway?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: So why has the Minister put obstacle after obstacle on projects? He has been very direct doing so and that is his prerogative but why? We are being honest here and the Minister needs to be honest with us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, which needs motorways and roads.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We agree and it needs the use of existing rail networks in cities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Which is a requirement to get low carbon rail and electric cars. The Minister cannot expect that everyone will travel by bus.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Cars will always be a feature so we must get electric cars.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I would love to hear that there is turbo roll-out of electric charging points for electric cars. Like everyone else, I am considering whether to change my car. I want my next car to be an electric car but I want to be certain that I can get the distance on the car.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: These are practicalities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am not disagreeing with the Minister on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I support the Minister on that one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, but not at the exclusion of road projects.