Results 861-880 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. There is no doubt that the very strong passenger growth in recent years poses some challenges at certain times for the public transport network, including the InterCity rail network. Like the Deputy, I am eager to see improved rail services rolled out across the network. We know that when people are offered reliable and frequent services, they are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The new InterCity railcars are being tested right now. We have received them. As the Deputy correctly said, Iarnród Éireann mentioned to him that once they come into use in 2026 additional railcars will then be provided to other routes. Two carriages on a train at peak times is, I would suggest, insufficient. I am sure the Deputy has raised that specific issue about that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I cannot give Deputy O'Hara a timeline, and I am not at all being evasive because we have commenced the preparatory work for the review. There will also be an updating and there is a clear commitment in the programme for Government on updating the regional airports programme. There will be a new programme for 2026 to 2030. This means we would need most of the work concluded this year or by...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Public transport connectivity and services to our airports are obviously critical. They are served relatively well. This can always be improved. I would expect it to be part of the input into our national aviation policy. While the existing policy from 2015 needs to be updated, it is not redundant at all. If anything, if we look at the growth in numbers in our airports throughout the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy said, this has already been raised by Deputy Ahern. I am happy to say, first, that we are committed to reviewing and updating the national aviation policy, which will bring about a new policy. That will involve stakeholder consultation. Effectively, we will publish a draft in the coming months. The draft will go out to public consultation and consultation in the House, and I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Looking at where we came from, there was 7% year-on-year growth between 2023 and 2024 in our regional airports. That growth is happening. Shannon is profitable. I do not think anybody is necessarily looking for subsidies or additional funding – capital funding, maybe - to improve facilities. I want to see more routes flying out of Shannon and Cork and that is happening. There has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. The review is not concluded yet. I have not received it. He is right to highlight the importance of the passenger experience. When we think of our public transport system, passengers and customers have to be central to it. Public transport is not just about moving from A to B – it is a vital service that connects individuals to work, education, healthcare and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that. People need to be certain and sure they can rely on their public transport system. In the main, they are and our public transport operators operate very well. We saw record passenger numbers on public transport last year. People are responding because fares are affordable but there are issues from time to time, particularly in relation to our bus fleet and buses not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: On fares, my focus is on investing in our fleet and infrastructure. That will be Government's focus. This five years to the end of the decade can see a step change in our infrastructure. We have seen some significant projects in Ceannt Station, Galway, and Kent Station, Cork. In Waterford, there has been significant investment in a new bus depot and in the train station. We are looking...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In respect of Listry Bridge and other specific issues in the Deputy's constituency, we will take a note as he raises them. I assure him that the figures I have given are real. There are significant increases in funding for new roads and for maintenance and renewal. I agree with him that speedy delivery is key. The funding provided for the N86 from Tralee to An Daingean is not just for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The LIS falls under the remit of the Minister for Rural and Community Development. It does not fall within my Department. I have given the funding figures and have used Kerry as a good example. We are looking at a 10.68% increase in funding for roads this year. There is a total allocation of €33.36 million for maintenance and improvement, which is on top of the funding for new...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for the important question. A number of Deputies have asked about national aviation policy. We are dealing with the 2015 national aviation policy, NAP. It established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector in Ireland, which is critical. It is designed to create an environment that encourages the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I had a good meeting with the Shannon Airport Group. It was one of the first meetings I had when I took over as Minister. The group has raised the issue of regional airports and how it might be able to access funding. There is a passenger cap to access that funding at the moment but we are considering that. Shannon Airport can stand on its own two feet. It is doing very well. We need to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am pleased that 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, NDP. For the information of the House, we have commenced our review of the NDP. I will seek additional funds for the capital side of my Department. As it currently stands, a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy raises an interesting issue. At the outset I think it important to distinguish between publicly subvented services operating under contract with the NTA and commercially operated services operated under a licence provided by the NTA. The publicly subvented services, or PSO services, are operated by a variety of operators both publicly and privately owned, and typically...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. The Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 May 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project is to provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (8 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the...