Results 281-300 of 1,022,018 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Bríd Smith) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have an answer to the Deputy's question as to the survey work that was done. There are sections on the line from Claremorris to Athenry that will require some reasonably significant civil works. For example, roads have been built across the line in the intervening period. However, these issues can be overcome. I cannot recall the exact period in which the section from Claremorris...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is not the case. The rail report-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: If that is not the case, it is all the better for us if we are to deliver a greenway on the line. The benefit of this is that it would preserve the line in public ownership. It is not included in the strategic rail review and the introduction of a greenway would not be hindered. If held in public ownership into the future, that line provides a potentially very beneficial future asset....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It was not included on the false premise that the line did not exist.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I do not believe that only the quality of the line was considered. There are so many different investment requirements that there has to be some prioritisation. If the line is, as the Deputy said, still intact and in public ownership, that would help and for it to be maintained in that way is the first priority.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Bus Éireann

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide on update on what engagement his Department has had with Bus Éireann to address the impact of the shortage of drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Will the Minister provide an update on what engagement his Department has had with Bus Éireann to address the impact of the shortage of drivers on the service?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for highlighting one of the biggest ongoing challenges facing the public transport sector. I confirm that my Department continues to engage extensively with the NTA and operators on this issue. Unfortunately, it is the case that many operators, both public and private, continue to experience difficulties in recruiting new drivers. In its attempts to attract new...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I was in the training centre in Cork last year. It was very impressive to see the plans there. It is to be hoped that these will bear fruit in producing extra drivers to fill those vacancies. I read an article earlier this month in which Bus Éireann CEO Stephen Kent said that approximately 2,000 extra drivers were required. I assume that is building on the future improvements with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I will make a wider point that Bus Éireann has a real challenge, as all our bus companies do, in getting drivers. This is across public and private services in every part of the country. Bus Éireann, however, is proving to be incredibly successful at present. I remember meeting Mr. Kent a year or two ago, when he said we might get up to 100 million passenger journeys last year....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I use the train service regularly in Cork, more so than buses. The difficulty I see lying ahead for us is that while trains turn up on time and always arrive, the same surety is not there for people when it comes to using their local bus service. For the 214 bus in Glanmire, in particular, and the 208 in Mayfield, the impact of BusConnects will be transformative for the city. It will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I will bring up a similar issue. It is not only the lack of bus drivers. Sometimes, it is the issue of the number of buses and the state of some of them. Yesterday, there were five cancellations of the 100X expressway, which is the Dundalk to Dublin bus. It is the bus that goes to the airport so it can be imagined how much of a disaster cancellations are for people trying to avoid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan. I will add that it is not just about a driver shortage. We are also short of mechanics. In Cork, there are ten or 12 vacancies in mechanic positions at present. If the bus is not maintained, then it cannot run. Irish passengers value and are attracted to their bus services. Passenger numbers on Bus Éireann PSO services went up by 27% last year. That...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: Could we look at the 100X route?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: We will look at that in detail.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Questions Nos. 66 to 68, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (16 May 2024)

Road Network

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (16 May 2024)

Brendan Smith: 69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (16 May 2024)

Brendan Smith: The Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, will have heard me highlight the urgent need to provide additional funding for the non-national road network in counties Cavan and Monaghan. The Minister of State and the Minister have met councillors and council officials in both counties. We took that opportunity to outline clearly to them that in view of the particular problems we...