Results 1-20 of 1,096 for at speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (16 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I received a similar response directly from Bus Éireann earlier this week. It stated that so far in 2024, over 97% of scheduled route 103 services have operated fully. Anybody who uses that service will hear that as an insult to their intelligence. I will give today as an example. Three services have been cancelled, namely, the 8.58 a.m., the 9.22 a.m. and the 10 a.m. services. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Garda Commissioner for his presentation. I want to talk about the round figures. In 2009 there were 1,055 members in the roads policing unit and that figure now stands at 623. The population of Ireland has increased by more than 600,000 in that period. According to the RSA, there has been a 20% increase, year-on-year, in the number of drivers on the road and possibly the same...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: If the Garda got to 15,000 members, where would Mr. Harris like to see the number in the roads policing unit at that stage? That unit currently has 623 members plus 75, and, hopefully, will have another 75.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to go back to that question of whether the Minister of State is satisfied. It is positive we are seeing increasing numbers of cans and bottles on the shelves with the return logo. Is he satisfied that this transition is going to continue? There were initial problems - more than problems - with databases and barcodes not matching up and lots of teething problems. I echo those points...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: We will clearly say we believe there is an immediate strong and positive role for EnergyCloud and, in the future, for other technologies for an improved grid, improved battery storage, and everything else that goes with that. I want to know if the Minister of State supports it. If he does support it, what needs to happen is for ESB Networks and the CRU to come together with EnergyCloud...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Although it was not what prompted the question, the Minister of State will have heard from the Climate Change Advisory Council yesterday in regard to the electricity sector and the reports on the challenge of meeting our targets. We had a roundtable last week involving members of the Oireachtas climate committee and some of those in the offshore wind sector. Both of those examples paint a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: This echoes previous reports from the CCAC which point towards progress in terms of legislation, regulation and planning but, repeatedly, there is an implementation deficit. Last year certainly saw an implementation deficit. We need to be energising 1.6 GW a year of new renewables, new grid scale and onshore renewables but, instead, it was just 0.6 GW last year. What is the Government...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Union (9 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Regarding the Tánaiste's response, it is deflection to say let us look at this thing in the round and that we are not being fair and are not looking at the humanitarian contribution of the European Union. Ursula von der Leyen is not entirely responsible for the humanitarian contribution of the European Union. What she is responsible for is her own public utterances, which demonstrate...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (8 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 549. To ask the Minister for Health if there are particular restrictions on overtime for HSE carers for home help at this time compared to the restrictions which ordinarily apply; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20383/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Challenges Facing the Bus and Coach Industry: Discussion (8 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I have a number of questions on specific routes. There are issues that come up regularly in my own area. I raised the 105X service with Mr. Kent before. It is very popular. There is a demand from the community for increased frequency. It largely runs at peak hours and is an express direct route from Ratoath into the city. I raise the 109A to DCU regularly with Bus Éireann and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Challenges Facing the Bus and Coach Industry: Discussion (8 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not want to, if that is okay, because I want to focus on a couple of figures in my local area. What is the driver and mechanic complement for Broadstone at the moment? How many vacancies are there?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (1 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what contingency plans are in place for pupils in a school (details supplied) for the 2024/2025 school year in light of current delays with the anticipated new school building; if additional accommodation will be available; if this will be at the current site; if agreement has been reached with the local landlord in this regard; and if she...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: On behalf of the parent's association, I want to read a number of questions into the record. The Minister has received these questions and I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could also raise them with her. What is the duration of the rental contract between the GAA and the Department? Are there plans in place for accommodation during the academic year 2024-2025? Will the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue for debate. It is a very important matter, not just the delivery of the new school building for this community but also the contingency in the meantime. That is something I hope the Minister of State can discuss. I commend the whole school community at Dunshaughlin Community National School, including the principal, Ms Slevin,...

Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: ...paying among the highest prices for fuel in Europe. Once again, Ireland is an outlier for all the wrong reasons and the Government has done absolutely nothing to get to grips with this situation. Now is not the time to heap more pressures on ordinary workers and families who have been absolutely crippled under the weight of the cost-of-living crisis. The Government’s punitive...

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The scourge of institutional abuse is a stain on our collective history. As former Bethany Home resident, Patrick Anderson McQuoid quoted in The Journal yesterday said, it is the "shame" of Ireland. It is also shameful that Patrick will be denied redress by the Minister. Under the auspices of the State, thousands endured pain, abuse, trauma and neglect. This suffering produced a lasting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: We will have different opinions on the root causes. The Minister of State will be aware it has been argued that, because of our waste collection model and the costs associated with it, people are avoiding their bin charges by dumping illegally. Others might argue a different point. It is very difficult when we do not have good information. That would be helpful. Food waste is one of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Circular Economy: Discussion (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State will find that the French example, and it is welcome that model is being looked at as regards packaging, also has a piece in respect of obligations around minimising food waste. It is to be hoped the Minister of State will turn that up and have a look at it when he is looking at that model.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 96. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the number of children deemed at risk who have not been allocated a social worker in County Meath in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Psychological Assessments (25 Apr 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 301. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and separately an assessment for ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18507/24]