Results 21-40 of 29,384 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: -----we are going full steam ahead with the TEN-T projects. They include the road from Lifford to Letterkenny, the Manorcunningham to Letterkenny road and the bypass of Stranorlar and Ballybofey. What I said to the councillors I met last week, who are interested in the project, is that we will do everything to advance that project as fast as we can because it is an example of the projects...

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

Eamon Ryan: I do not have the details of that stop, so I will have to come back to the Deputy directly on that. I do not have information about the plans for that stop. On the wider issue the Deputy raised about enhancing the ability to get drivers and mechanics, I am open to all initiatives and suggestions. Bus Éireann has looked at a variety of different ways. We have looked at moving some of...

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

Eamon Ryan: I will not read out the written response because it is very similar to what Deputy Marian Harkin would have heard only a few minutes ago.

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

Eamon Ryan: It will be available to the Deputy in written format in any case. If I can answer his question directly, the strategic rail review has been very public for over a year and a half. We had to go to a strategic environmental assessment. We decided that, in advance of the Assembly returning in the North, we would publish it because we had to go into that public consultation, so the details are...

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

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy fully. I would add the environmental issue to his list of common-sense considerations we have to take into account. The opponents of investing in rail freight argue that it is not economic and does not make sense, but they do not answer the question of how they intend to decarbonise our haulage system and do not take that into account as a key strategic objective...

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

Eamon Ryan: I am very aware of the ongoing issues with the 103 Bus Éireann service in Meath, which was particularly bad in September and October last year, and the negative impact that was having on the travelling public. Unfortunately, these issues were exacerbated by ongoing challenges the public transport sector is facing in the recruitment of both mechanics and drivers. However, I am pleased...

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

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy. It is not acceptable for passengers to be left waiting at the side of the road for the next bus. That is deeply frustrating, and it is not good enough. We have to make sure, through the NTA, that Bus Éireann is pushed so that the services improve. There are various ways we can do that. As I said, the first key issue is with mechanics and drivers. There has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: It was not a short delay due to the absence of the administration in Northern Ireland. I wish it had been short but it took a long time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Well, for the guts of two years the Assembly was not in place and the administration in the North was not in place.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: No, but that is just the reality. The reopening of the western rail corridor is of vital strategic importance for the national planning framework and better balanced regional development in our country. It should include the section between Athenry and Claremorris. It does not propose an extension to Sligo. However, the reopening from Athenry to Claremorris is of huge benefit because...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I have been clear in my position for the past two years and particularly since the publication of the review. It does not include the extension of the rail corridor from Claremorris north east towards Sligo. That makes a strong case for the use of that line as a greenway, as the Deputy suggested, and the benefit of that is we would be able to hold a line so that, if at some future date it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: There are indeed different voices in that regard. That will need to be clarified in the coming months when we come to priority decisions around whether we make this strategic leap towards supporting the west and supporting rail freight.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, the national planning framework calls for enhanced land-side access to Dublin Airport, particularly in public transport terms. I also note that the local authority’s local area plan for the airport requires that any planning application to increase passenger numbers at the airport must clearly demonstrate the transport infrastructure and measures required...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: There has been a significant increase in public transport. As I said, 1,000 buses a day are going to and from the airport. This is a 10% increase on the bus services available last year. As the Deputy said, we have further bus improvements planned. There has also been a 20% increase in the number of taxi permits operating at the airport. The vast majority of passengers using taxis are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Policy (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Significant bus enhancements are coming. The first we want to see is the planning decision on the Swords bus corridor. As soon as that is delivered, we will go into the process of implementing the BusConnects programme. A series of new services are planned that will come in with that initiation. These include the L81, L83 and L85 services, which are planned to serve the airport and go...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As I am sure the Deputy will be aware, the all-island strategic rail review has been undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net-zero carbon targets in both jurisdictions. Work on the review is now at an advanced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: This Government recognises the importance of accessible and efficient transport links in rural Ireland for fostering social inclusion, economic development, and overall quality of life. In support of this, our ambitious plan for rural connectivity, Connecting Ireland, has seen exponential growth in rural transport services over the last few years, with over 100 new and expanded services...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been developed to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of Cork up to 2040, including the rail system in the area. Good progress has been made in delivering key projects within the Strategy, including the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. This Programme represents...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I want to assure the Deputy that I recognise that transport connectivity is hugely important for people who live and work in Ireland and it is key to bringing life back into our villages, towns and urban centres. I am strongly committed to providing all citizens with safe, reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and our new Connecting Ireland programme plays a key role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (16 May 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As committed to in the current National Development Plan, the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. This Rail Review was announced by me in 2021, in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the island of Ireland in the coming decades to...