Results 1,581-1,600 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: It is good to hear that Ryanair is in negotiations with Cork Airport. As a fellow Corkonian, I am delighted that the company is recovering. There is exceptional leadership at the airport from Neil McCarthy and his colleagues. I am on the record of this committee as having a serious issue with the DAA over its handling of what has happened in terminal 1 and the capacity constraints there....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: An interesting point of conversation concerns the moving of those hangars. In terms of who has them, what could happen with them? Could they go to Shannon or Cork airports? Is the State in a position-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: Where does Ryanair see the DAA, in Dublin Airport in particular, hitting crisis point? With the current growth trajectory, the level of passengers will hit a point where it will just not be sustainable. Will we go back to what we had during the Covid-19 period, when there were significant queues, etc.?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: When we move into the later 2020s, does Mr. O’Leary not see a situation-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: Part of the statutory remit of the DAA is to turn a profit for the State. Obviously, any profits it makes must come back to the coffers of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. What Mr. O’Leary is discussing here today will require a very significant amount of capital, regardless of whether it is decided to redistribute the €200 million pool of funding...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: I have another question which is a little left-field. I want to get a sense of Mr. O’Leary's views on it. This is the first time we have had a ministerial role specifically to deal with aviation. The Minister of State in question, who is serving in a super-junior capacity, effectively shares the aviation portfolio at departmental level with a Cabinet Minister who might not be the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. O’Leary believes that aviation should not be separate and should be effectively under one person at the Cabinet table.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: That is very interesting. In conclusion, it is great to have Mr. O’Leary here. From the point of view of Cork, it is great to see that he is looking at the potential for an additional base to be given for his aircraft. We wish him continued success and I thank him.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: 295. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will identify the most suitable scheme available to assist a person in a situation (details supplied) in purchasing a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59508/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: I welcome everybody from TII and other bodies. It is great to see them here at such short notice. We are here as a consequence of a failure in our logic and thinking in how we adjust fares and changes in toll fees. The consumer price index is there for a reason. There are times of rapid inflation and there are times when people are under huge financial pressure, and the two of them have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: What is that like? I ask because the public at large want to get a better understanding of where their toll money goes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: I do not expect Mr. Walsh to have the exact figures and I know it would be very unfair of me to ask for them. In 2019, before Covid, roughly what percentage did TII take from the toll incomes generated by road traffic?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: Does the same company operate the Dublin Port tunnel and the M50 barrier-free toll?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: From my engagement with hauliers, and I know we have talked about this before, they are absolutely fed up with the toll at the port tunnel because they must stop at the barrier every time and keep going, which is difficult when one operates large machines. I am not an expert on this matter and I know that Deputy Murphy will delve into this matter later.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: There are increased costs if one has lorries going in and out of the Dublin Port the whole time. I cannot understand why there has been no effort to remove the barriers on those tolls in the same way as has been done for the M50 where getting through is flawless. The system is so good that if you fail to pay the toll, you will be notified about it a few days later with a photograph of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: Can I pause Mr. Maher as the time is winding down? I just want to get an insight. He is telling me that traffic in the tunnel is not allowed to stop for very obvious reasons.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: The point I am arguing is about removing the barriers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (29 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: I have to ask a couple of other questions, so I will let other members follow up on that. My next question is related to toll upgrades nationally. I find the Portlaoise toll, in particular, exceptionally dangerous. I do not know if other members who use it feel the same. Many people, myself included, have tags on their cars, which are great. However, if you hit the toll at a busy time,...

Forestry: Statements (24 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: I am here today to represent the constituency of Cork East, which I share with Deputy Sherlock. What is quite interesting about our constituency is that we are very fortunate to have a large number of commercial forestry operators in the region. They provide very valuable employment to communities, in particular in areas like Fermoy and rural hinterlands surrounding some of the mountainous...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (24 Nov 2022)

James O'Connor: 75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school bus transport appeals process; if her attention has been drawn to reports that numerous children who previously had bus tickets cannot get any in 2022 and cannot get their appeal heard to date; if she can outline the next meeting of the appeals board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58435/22]