Results 1,401-1,420 of 25,681 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, which provides the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (20 Feb 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms to provide advice in respect of the use of AI. Some guidance has been received from Microsoft in relation to their Copilot platform as part of regular account management meetings and at no additional cost to the Department. A free version Copilot is being assessed by staff in the Department under strict controls. A project is commencing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Motor Tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. There is an additional charge associated with both the half-yearly and quarterly discs. In relation to motor tax paid for 3 months or 6 months the charges are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 385/1992, as amended. Regulation 26(1) of that S.I. reads as follows: 26(1) A licence may be taken out under Section 1 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Data (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below details the number of original tax discs issued in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 broken down by annual, half year and quarter year payments. Number of Original Tax Discs Issues Annual Half Year Quarter Year Total 2022 2,083,568 713,987 2,026,763 4,824,318 ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below details the additional amounts derived from the collection of motor tax payments as a result of the surcharge for periodic payments. The rates payable are 28.25% (quarterly) or 55.5% (half yearly) of the full annual rate of duty. 2022 Surcharge 2023 Surcharge 2024 Surcharge Half Yearly €12,400,972 ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the development of a Luas red line extension to serve Poolbeg is currently one of the longer-term proposals in the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042, for development and delivery within the 2037-2042 timeframe. The Strategy states that the proposed Luas extension to Poolbeg is subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Flood Relief Schemes (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand The NTA have issued a response to the deputy as of Monday 17th of February 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna’s business is subject to regulatory approval, including Ministerial consent and will be considered on receipt of a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Network and Information Systems (NIS) 2 Directive is a revision of the NIS Directive which is currently in force in the State and will remain in full effect covering the most critical operators within the State while the NIS2 Directive is being transposed into national law. It represents a major step forward for cyber resilience in Ireland and in Europe and will enhance cyber risk...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Seven community projects were successful in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 1 (RESS 1) auction, (five solar and two wind projects). Of these seven projects, three have now energised. These community projects have been enabled by the RESS scheme and have now entered into private arrangements for selling their renewable energy. Other RESS 1 community projects are also expected to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Energy Rating (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A range of SEAI supports are in place to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions. The specific data sought by the Deputy in relation to SEAI schemes can be found detailed in the table below. Homes retrofitted to a BER B2 standard or higher by SEAI...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The ORESS Tonn Nua offshore wind auction will be Ireland's second offshore wind auction and the first to take place under the Phase Two plan led approach. Tonn Nua will auction a 900 megawatt site in the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), approved by the Oireachtas in 2024. The Terms and Conditions for the Tonn Nua Auction were also approved by Government and published on 30...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna’s business is subject to regulatory approval, including Ministerial consent and will be considered on receipt of a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: No divisions, units or other Departmental structures have been added to or removed from the brief of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to date since the change of Government. My Department is currently following the process and principles outlined in the DPENDER Handbook on Transfers of Functions to give effect to the transfer of functions in and out of my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Flexible Work Practices (19 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently working to update its remote working policy and arrangements for its staff, primarily focused on incorporating legislation and codes of practice. There are no planned changes to the existing office attendance requirements under the Department's blended working policy, which are currently a minimum two days or 40% office attendance.