Results 17,741-17,760 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Passenger Data (19 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I would like to advise that Deputy that my Department does not collect this data.   The Department publishes a Quarterly Aviation Statistics Snapshot which gives headline statistics on passenger numbers at our airports for the previous quarter. The CSO Annual Aviation Statistics remain the official source of passenger and flight statistics, with the Department's...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: First, I would like to explain that once funding arrangements have been put in place through the Department of Transport, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Overall, TII is responsible for the delivery of the national roads programme in accordance with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I always keep an open mind but I should also speak my mind, although I will do so in a very respectful way because this is a useful debate. Under the national planning framework, it is clear that we want to restore life to the centre of villages, towns and cities. I will be honest. If the section from Ballincollig to Macroom costs the same as the section from Macroom to Ballyvourney, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: In July, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland has welcomed the hydrogen strategy including the need to support the deployment of hydrogen produced from renewable sources as set out in the Programme for Government. It is clear that renewable hydrogen could play a key role in Ireland's future energy system as we move towards...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland regrets the UK’s decision to leave the EU, although we respect it. From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership.  The Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period.  Strong and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the energy efficiency potential of smart meters starts to be deployed in 2021 and that all mechanical electricity meters are replaced by 2024. The Smart Meter Upgrade is a meter replacement programme to modern, smart-ready technology. New generation electricity meters are being rolled out across Europe and internationally and when the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: ComReg currently has a suite of enforcement and sanction powers available to it in regulating the telecommunications sector. Transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code, a new European regulatory framework will include, inter alia, certain additional provisions relating to enforcement. Against the backdrop of the transposition of the Code, my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is likely aware that a walkability audit template has already been developed and is available for use by local authorities. The walkability audit template has been developed by An Taisce Green Schools in partnership with other stakeholders including the National Transport Authority. My Department funds An Taisce’s Green Schools Travel programme and I understand that, as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Since the outcome of the referendum in the UK became known my Department has been assessing the implications of the UK’s exit from the European Union. It is fair to say that from a transport perspective, based on these assessments and the analysis that has been carried out, it is not evident that Brexit will have any positive impacts. What has been made clear, not only by my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 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. The questions raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and maintenance of individual national...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Accident Investigations (18 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy is aware, the draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017 is the subject of a re-examination by a Review Board.  The Review Board has been established in line with Regulation 16 of Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009 (SI 460...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (18 Nov 2020)

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...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Greenways Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue. I very much welcome the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the south Kerry greenway as, I am sure, does the Deputy, who worked very hard on this issue. It has been a long time coming as funding was first allocated to this project back in 2014. One only has to have seen some of the footage that was included...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Greenways Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: There is money in cycling tourism. I know it. I spent 15 years in our family business, which my sister and her husband still run and which is involved in cycling tourism. I have to declare that background. One of the attractive things about cycling tourism is that it tends to slow people in a region down. Some of the places people want to go cycling in are the more out of the way places...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I am very pleased to respond to Deputies Cathal Crowe and O'Dea on this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin. The management of Shannon Heritage sites, including their opening arrangements, is an operational matter for Shannon Heritage and Shannon Group plc, which is a commercial State body under the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I hope I can do so. The key solace is, first, that we hope to get out of level 5. King John's Castle has been closed since the level 3 restrictions were introduced. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has some limited outdoor activities but it also had to close once level 5 restrictions were introduced. Those restrictions, more than anything else, have been a significant factor in the closures...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Government remains committed to ending the use of coal in electricity generation by 2025. My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. This review will consider a range of options to enhance security of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has been examining this issue in detail for some time and has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and the HSE, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. However, there are complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Domestic Violence Services (17 Nov 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 178 together. My Department does not provide funding for domestic violence services.