Results 1-20 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy may take from the fact that we have done a lot of the preparatory work on design and preparation for the schemes in Castlemore and Kilcondy that we want to see them proceed to the next stage. That will be the logical step going forward into 2026. We will make sure that happens. The Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, and I have increased our roads funding this year...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: BusConnects is going to make a real difference. It was held up for many reasons. I would suggest that there were initially route design flaws in much of the BusConnects project when it was first published, but that has been rectified. As I said earlier in response to a question, we will see the first BusConnects corridor under construction this year. We have three that are through...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I was.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Regarding what the Green Party might say in Dublin West, the Green Party held the transport portfolio in the previous Government. Having said that, the Government is responsible for the delivery of all services across the board and we are heavily committed to public transport. That is why I mentioned earlier this evening the debate we had last week. We have seen a record number of public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Moynihan. The Government earmarked about €2.9 billion for the protection and renewal of the national road network as part of the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030. As the Deputy knows, the NDP is under review. That includes funding to renew pavement on the new network. In addition, €5.1 billion was earmarked for investment in new national roads projects....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I know the volume of traffic on the N22 is high and increasing. The paving is poor. The Deputy mentioned potholes. Following his intervention through this parliamentary question, I will make direct contact to see what remedial works can be done in the interim. I cannot say if funding will be reallocated later this year. We have just recently allocated the 2025 funding but I will ask....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Currie for her question. Since 2020, over €18.75 million has been invested in bus services alone in Dublin West, reflecting a really strong and ongoing commitment to improving public transport in the area. This includes funding for both new routes and enhancements to existing services. Notably, new routes introduced over the period include the L52, introduced in 2020,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Neville may have missed the final part of my answer. TFI has the TFI Go app in place, and we have Leap cards as an interim measure as well. The point is taken, however. Many of the resources will be used in implementing this new system. Obviously, some will be used to design it but most will be used to implement it. I have a more detailed breakdown of the major release phases....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank both Deputies for their support. I will meet the NTA and Indra Sistemas, which is developing this system. I will try to secure more specific timelines from the company. It has been very helpful so far. Work is progressing very well. On the contractual arrangements, I do not have that detail right now. I commit to reverting to both Deputies with an update on this after I meet...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have been many times in the Deputy's constituency and in Finglas. I want to see this project move forward to construction and delivery. We have a couple of hurdles but not big ones. We have to get through planning. Should that be granted, there is then the procurement strategy for Luas Finglas under the infrastructure guidelines. Ministerial approval will follow that and the project...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: That point is a very good one. TII has built up excellent expertise and knowledge in delivery of those projects. Expansion of the Luas network needs to be looked at in the round and that is being done. Deputy McAuliffe mentioned MetroLink and we expect that to come out of planning with a final decision - not a draft decision - in the month of July. That would be a transformational project...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 98 and 102 together. I thank an Teachta Ó Cearúil. For background, the next generation ticketing project, led by the NTA, is for a new, modern public transport ticketing system that will facilitate a variety of payment methods for passengers, including contactless. In April 2024, the NTA with Government approval entered into a multiyear...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I am happy to engage with both Deputies on the issue of drones. I want to review the draft document and I will engage with them. I am sure we will be talking to the transport committee about that. This type of technology is here to stay. It is about how it interacts with our communities. There are also major benefits. The Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, have informed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Transport Policy (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy knows this project well. It is one of four proposed Luas tram extensions that have been identified by the NTA as part of the current statutory transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. This project is 3.9 km, just short of 4 km, but still extensive as it would extend the Dublin tram network from Broombridge to Finglas. This is eminently doable. The route will serve an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government includes a commitment to finalise and publish a policy framework for unmanned aircraft systems, otherwise known as drones. This will guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth, which we want, and innovation, which we also want, while ensuring safe and secure operations and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aviation Industry (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have not commenced my review. I appreciate the points the Deputy has made and take them into account. I listened with interest to a vox pop in Dublin West. I think it was on FM104 last week when I was in the car. There had been complaints made by some public representatives. Then there were interviews with people on the street in Blanchardstown and many of them had different views on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Navigation Orders (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A lot has been made of the increased number of exemptions. People try to link that somewhat to the start of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and Israel. From October 2023, there has been an increase in exemptions granted to Irish-registered aircraft operating outside of Ireland. A substantial number of Irish aircraft operate in other territories. This increase is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Navigation Orders (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: When serious allegations and complaints like this are made, I, as Minister, take them seriously. It behoves us to afford the time to carry out a proper investigation and interrogate the data given to us. We are in regular contract with all air operators. With Irish airspace being one of the main entry points across the Atlantic, I instructed Department officials to further remind all air...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: We will all be travelling on buses together soon. I use the bus a lot but not in Wicklow. I am aware, as the Deputy obviously is, that Go-Ahead Ireland has experienced difficulties in maintaining service levels, particularly in the first quarter of this year, primarily due to a shortage of mechanics. In response, the company took a number of remedial actions, including bringing in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (24 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: There is still work to be done. We are adding new routes. As everyone knows, in all sectors, but particularly around drivers and mechanics, there have been shortages of workers because it is a very competitive environment. We have commenced further recruitment across all our transport operators. We started the review in spring. Two of the main reasons for buses not showing up are,...