Results 1,001-1,020 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: The purpose of this part of this meeting is to engage with the chairperson designate of the ESB, Ms Ellvena Graham, to discuss the approach she proposes to take if and when appointed to the role of chairman and her views on the challenges currently facing that body. By now, we are all very well aware of the Government decision in May 2011 that put new arrangements in place for the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: I thank Ms Graham for outlining her very clear vision in respect of her responsibilities and also for outlining the challenges and opportunities coming down the line. Her enthusiasm for her new job is obvious from her presentation. I hand over to Senator Mooney, who is leading for Fianna Fáil.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: I want to be fair about this, Deputy, but we are discussing the ESB today, not EirGrid.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Yes. I do not wish to prevent discussion but it is important that we cover it with the people who are responsible for it. If Ms Graham wishes to comment on it, I will allow it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: I call Senator Brennan, followed by Deputy Fitzmaurice.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Perhaps Ms Graham could take Deputy McEntee’s questions first.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Ms Graham mentioned the charges that are to be introduced relating to electric cars. Was it signalled at the beginning that there would be a period of no charge? I heard a suggestion that the events at Volkswagen would kick off a real engagement with electric cars. There was a lot of publicity over the charges and it was stated that the charges for electric cars would be only minimally...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Yes. Another was legislation to allow the use of taxi lanes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: A lot of education is also required.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: ESB: Chairperson Designate (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: We can take it up at another forum. I thank Ms Graham for engaging with us. I have no doubt that, with the enthusiastic approach she has demonstrated today, her term will be very successful. We will forward the transcript of today's discussion to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, for his information and consideration.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: The next item is a discussion with representatives of the Irish EV Owners' Association on the subject of electric cars. We are all more conscious of the benefits of electric vehicles, having recently engaged with the Volkswagen Group on incorrect emissions readings. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Mr. Frank Barr, Mr. Paddy Carroll, Mr. Joe McCarthy and Mr. Guillaume Séguin...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. Carroll. Obviously, the association has presented a comprehensive wish list and it is good it is clearly outlined. Before handing over to Deputy Dooley, can I ask whether there is any particular priority? Are there key items in that wish list that could make for rapid change? Second, the joint committee has just interviewed the chair-designate of the ESB on her appointment as...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: I attended a presentation some time ago by the chairman of the transport committee in the Norwegian Parliament. It was very impressive, but somebody said to me afterwards that the price of an ordinary car in Norway was huge compared to that in Ireland. I did not have that information at the time. Is VRT taken off? Somebody mentioned a price of €50,000 or €60,000 for a car.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Yes, but the initial cost is very high. Is that true?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: These incentives were outlined, but not all of the information was given on the day. I only received it afterwards.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Deputy Dessie Ellis is giving way to Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Deputy Fitzmaurice asked how far a car can travel on a single charge and the answer indicated that the range is lower in winter. Is that because of a reduction in temperature?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: Do other elements affect this? For example, what happens in a storm or against wind?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: The wind was behind him.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electric Vehicles: Discussion with Irish EV Owners Association (18 Nov 2015)
John O'Mahony: We are learning much this morning, which is important.