Results 161-180 of 25,421 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The current Waste Framework Directive includes a requirement for all member states to have a separate collection system for textiles by 1 January 2025 to support the transition to a textiles circular economy. Ireland's separate collection system for textiles consists of a national network of local authority and charity bring banks, charity retail shops as well as some private bring banks....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to EVs. The number of publicly accessible charge points in Ireland increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to approximately 2,400 in 2024. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Home charging is and will remain the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer. However, for those unable to do so a growing public charging network will provide a reliable alternative. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) has significant funding available in 2025 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Córas Iompair Éireann (9 Apr 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: Parking Provision (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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, nor do I have a role in the sourcing of a location for coach parking. In Dublin City, the provision of coach parking is a matter for Dublin City Council (DCC). The National Transport Authority operates...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The number of mid-sized cruise ships visiting Dublin Port directly over recent years has remained relatively consistent with approximately 30 to 40 requests annually. Dublin Port also facilitates in excess of 60 cruise calls annually to Dublin Bay, in which case passengers are tendered to Dún Laoghaire. Within the ongoing Dublin Port Masterplan 2040 infrastructure development works,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including maximum taxi fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector. The National Maximum Taxi Fare structure is a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: While the Department of Transport has overall responsibility for transport policy, including aviation, it is not within its remit to intervene in the operational matters of private commercial airlines, such as baggage policies. Generally, the contract between the airline and customers is bound by the terms and conditions set out at the time of booking with the airline. Passengers are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (9 Apr 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 and neither the Department nor the Minister can intervene in individual cases. Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (9 Apr 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As you will be aware, the role of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs) under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 is to advise the Minister in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers. The views of the taxi industry are well represented on that Committee through Committee members with representative functions and backgrounds and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Córas Iompair Éireann (9 Apr 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: Rail Network (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the development of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The Transport Strategy for the Greater...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (9 Apr 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 operational matters, such as the capacity in driver testing centres. I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputy that measures have been taken to address the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy is a pathway for the delivery of EV charge point infrastructure to support Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030. The Strategy addresses EV infrastructure standards required to meet user needs as mandated through European regulations, the Alternative Fuels...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 54 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. The operational information requested by the Deputies is therefore held by the RSA. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the RSA for direct,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Sign Language (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department of Transport is aware of its obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and has advised public bodies under its remit of their obligations. Since the commencement of the Act, this Department has not received any requests for Irish Sign Language interpretation from those seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by the Department....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (9 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 through engagement with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ West project between Dublin city and...