Results 16,841-16,860 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The carryover of unspent capital from 2020 into 2021 approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for my Department is €151,480m as per the table below. Subhead Description of Carryover Area Amount Carried forward to 2021(€,000) Subhead Description of Carryover Area Amount Carried forward to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, I have a strong interest in this area and I see potential for the development of rail freight in Ireland. Our Programme for Government commits us to a 7% average annual emissions reduction and the intra-modal shift of some freight traffic from road to rail can make a contribution to achieving this. I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Irish Rail in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the DART+ programme In light of their statutory responsibilties I have therefore referred your...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Delivering a sustainable mobility system in Ireland is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reductions to 2030, and our national climate ambition is being put on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. The Bill aims to establish a target of carbon-neutrality by 2050, as well instigating as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: 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. The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: 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 issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (11 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 54, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (11 Feb 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. Following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV), the allocation for regional and local...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I will address Deputy Connolly's questions. I hope we can advance that feasibility study on a light rail system in Galway. Similar to what we are looking at in Cork, we need to connect it to what we must immediately do in the likes of rolling out BusConnects for Galway and then look to see if that can be upgraded. That is my sense of an approach we might take in both Cork and Galway....

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Deputy Bruton is correct; we need connectivity. It is critical to our economy. In response to his question, we will have to look to retain diversity in regard to the destinations and connectivity we have because that has been a significant benefit. We also have to look at diversity in terms of regional development. We have to maintain more balanced regional development and that will be a...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputy Leddin for his remarks. He is absolutely correct. Well-being comes from how we look after our local environment. Transport is critical to that. It will encourage him in the work he has been doing on transport policy in Limerick to know that what I heard today amounted to broad agreement that as we build the Coonagh-Knocklisheen road, we should put in bus lanes. As we build...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I am very much supportive of the rail line. I appreciate the interest of Deputies Guirke and O'Rourke therein. The key point Deputy Guirke made that makes the case for the rail line is that the local authority is keen, in its development plan review, to really make it work and help deliver it. The key thing we need to do in transport now is what is called "transport-led development",...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There are three potential routes for metro south from Ranelagh. One would be to go up the existing line. I do not expect we will opt for that route but we should look at it. The recommendation to the NTA is that we should look at all three options. The second option is going south west, as the Deputy outlined, taking in Harold's Cross, Terenure, Knocklyon, Firhouse and beyond to Tallaght....

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: We work as fast as we can in the circumstances we are in. I will provide some examples. When the UK Government raised a concern about a new variant, the next day, we banned travel from the UK. I believe we were the third country to do this. Perhaps the Danes and the Belgians were an hour ahead of us in doing so. Our response was immediate. At the same time, I believe we were one of the...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I will respond to Deputy Bríd Smith first. The advice that we must follow is the public health advice. As I said, we expect further details later on this afternoon in respect of public health advice on the countries to which travel restrictions should be applied and the type of restrictions that should be put in place. We will follow that advice. We must consider the issues around...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I have had very good meetings with council members about the north ring road in Cork. There is a variety of plans and I am trying to remember the full details. I recall the argument being made for immediate construction of a new distributor road for public transport and good active travel measures. I am trying to recall the geography of this across north Cork. I spoke with the council...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I think every Department has a role in this matter. Regarding international travel and quarantine, the Department of Justice has a key role in terms of Garda checkpoints at Dublin Airport and how we manage border control. Our Department has a key role. We have just rolled out a whole new antigen testing scheme for hauliers travelling to and from France. On the passenger locator form, we...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: If there is any instance where the ECDC or our own public health authorities are saying that we should take a measure, we will take that measure. That is critical in terms of managing this variant issue, which does change everything. I heard Mike Ryan of the WHO say that the key thing is co-operation internationally and not necessarily banning in every instance but monitoring, managing and...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I am sorry I have not got to the other points. I have some details on Kildare County Council as an example. I had a good meeting with its members today. I believe the council could be an exemplar. We have agreed 11 additional engineering staff to help it roll out the walk ways. I will be honest. If certain councils cannot do it, do not want to avail of that and are not up for it, I...