Results 1,521-1,540 of 26,561 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Atlantic salmon conservation work at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is supported by independent scientific advice provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). River-specific scientific catch advice on our salmon fisheries is provided by TEGOS based on a forecast of the abundance of salmon which will return to each river in that year, comparison of the estimated returns to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Bag Limits) Bye-law No. 1013 of 2024 regulates the number of salmon or sea trout that a person shall take in 2025. Under this Bye-law, "a person shall not take by rod and line more than 10 fish in 2025, ‘’fish’’ meaning salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40cm) or both’’. The classes of fisheries...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The development of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector is a significant and complex undertaking which will take account of developments and challenges around conservation, ecological and environmental issues over recent years. Significant progress has been made by my Department in its development. The policy statement will also have regard to ongoing initiatives such as the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Reply not received from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The prevention of the spread of bacteria such as Aeromonas Hydrophila in any fish species from one watercourse to another is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Supply Board (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: ESB is a commercial State body, under the aegis of my Department, established under the Electricity Supply Act 1927. ESB is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. This is an operational matter for ESB and not one in which I have any function. The Deputy may wish to contact ESB directly via Oireachtas@esb.ie in relation to the Question raised.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In December 2022, the Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland was published and it sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028. This target is on track and will be met through a combination of commercial investment and State funding. The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Bodies (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end 2030. To promote and incentivise the achievement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159, 160 and 161 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 749/2024) transpose Article 17(15) of Directive 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast) into Irish law. The Regulations provide that from 1 January 2025 public bodies shall not provide any financial incentives for the installation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wind Energy Generation (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that the west coast of Ireland holds significant potential for the development of floating offshore wind energy, with its vast wind resources and deep waters. Ireland has set ambitious targets to achieve 5GW of offshore renewable energy generation by 2030 with a further target of 20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050 as set out in the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Pensions (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: For operational and national security reasons, I cannot disclose details about the number or origin of cyber-attacks on my Department. Releasing this information, even for past years, could compromise my Department's security posture and harm our security efforts. Protecting public services remains a priority of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. There is a current target under the Climate Action Plan to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030. Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Cybersecurity and protecting public services is a key priority for my Department. Our investments in cybersecurity are fully integrated within our overall ICT operations and it would not be possible to accurately separate out costs. Furthermore, for security reasons, we do not disclose granular cybersecurity details. Releasing this information, even for prior years, could compromise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service, including includes licence application matters. My Department does not have access to individual driving licence exchange applications and may not intervene in that process. Accordingly, I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Mar 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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the recruitment and employment of its staff, within the sanction given the Department of Transport. The Department has no direct role in recruitment. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 Mar 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Mar 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...