Results 14,461-14,480 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The scheduling of driving tests is an operational matter for the RSA, and I do not have any role in this process. During the Covid pandemic, the driver testing service has prioritised tests for essential workers. Since May 2021, the RSA has been returning to delivering...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Making the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists is an issue which has arisen a number of times over the years. It is a long-standing Government policy to recommend and promote the wearing of helmets. The Rules of the Road booklet encourages the use of cycle helmets and draws attention to their safety benefits, and the Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for public education...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I am acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists and I am very conscious of the vulnerability of cyclists on rural roads.   This Department continues to work with and fund key stakeholders to address how road users behave on our roads in order to promote a safe and respectful approach from all users sharing the public road space.   In particular, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In addition to the significant increases in funding to our Active Travel infrastructure programme in 2021, my Department also supports a number of behavioural change programmes specifically aimed at encouraging employees and third level students to choose to commute via walking or cycling. The Smarter Travel Workplaces, Smarter Travel Campus Programme, which is overseen by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Measures (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My intention is to legislate for e-scooters, in accordance with the Programme for Government. Department officials have drafted the necessary changes to primary legislation as part of the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill. The Bill has completed pre-legislative scrutiny and is expected to come before the Oireachtas in the coming months. When the Bill is enacted, it will give the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.  The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”).  In relation to the Regular Wages Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: 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 those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. There were major cutbacks in funding for the road network in general during the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has robustly facilitated remote working for staff in roles across all office locations, where feasible, over the last 18 months.  We have been particularly conscious of the need to minimise the pressure on the public transport system to support essential workers travelling safely. This has included the supply of IT equipment to enable an effective and productive working...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Flexible Work Practices (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has robustly facilitated remote working for staff in roles across all office locations, where feasible, over the last 18 months.  We have been particularly conscious of the need to minimise the pressure on the public transport system to support essential workers travelling safely. This has included the supply of IT equipment to enable the majority of Departmental staff to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I very much agree that the provision of secure cycle parking is important to support the development of cycling as a sustainable transport choice and I am also aware that a lack of secure cycle parking is citied as a barrier for cycling and bike ownership. Requirements in relation to the provision of cycle parking in public areas fall under the remit of the various local authorities, who...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of secure cycle parking is important to support the development of cycling as a sustainable transport choice, as the lack of same is often cited as a barrier to cycling and bike ownership. Requirements in relation to the provision of cycle parking in public areas fall under the remit of the various local authorities, who issue standards and guidance on this matter; my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 158 and 165 together. As the 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.  Irish Rail has developed a 5-year programme, involving upgrades, renewals and improved maintenance strategies for its lifts and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The national car and van fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Telecommunications Services (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to advise the Deputy that issues relating to scam calls do not fall under the remit of the Department of Transport. I understand that this is an operational matter for private telecommunication companies and the Communications Regulator, ComReg.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Government Communications (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In addition to my Ministerial work phone, I can confirm that I have used my personal phone for Government business.  My personal phone is equipped with a secure work container, which was installed on the device by my Department’s IT team, providing me with access to my Departmental emails and Ministerial calendar. Neither I nor my Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Freedom of Information (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Access to information helps the public to understand decisions made and allows public debate to be better informed and more productive.  The Freedom of Information process, supported by the relevant legislation, is a key part of this and is a priority for my Department. The Department has responded to 2,033 FOI requests from 2016 to date. The year-by-year breakdown is set out in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Commissions of Investigation (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides for the establishment of Commissions of Investigation which can investigate matters of significant public concern. While the Department undertakes certain investigations as part of its various functions and responsibilities, no Commissions of Investigation under the Act of 2004 have been established under the remit of my Department over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Appointments (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The person in question has not held any roles, formal or informal, in the name of my Department in the lifetime of this Government. I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Government Communications (9 Sep 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department does not subscribe to either of the specified services and no official internal communication takes place on these applications.   However, I confirm that accounts with both services were created on my behalf, to facilitate Green Party rather than Departmental business. The use of one of the specified services pre-dates my appointment as Minister, and I have not used...