Results 521-540 of 1,055,274 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Matt Carthy OR speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh OR speaker:Alan Farrell OR speaker:Darren O'Rourke OR speaker:Martin Kenny OR speaker:Neale Richmond OR speaker:Micheál Martin) in 'Committee meetings'

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Joint Committee (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: The first business is the minutes of the private meetings of 22 October and 5 November. If there are any matters arising, we will go into private session to discuss them. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to discuss the Public Service Performance Report 2023. On behalf of the committee, I am very pleased to welcome the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his officials. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister and we appreciate his opening remarks. I have a list of speakers, which I will vary. I call Deputy O'Rourke to kick us off.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I refer to programme A, sustainable mobility – active travel and greenways. Specifically, there has been massive State investment in active travel projects. I reference the R135 project in Ashbourne with a specific focus on value for money, oversight and delivery on time and on budget. This was a project that was initially welcomed but is now despised by the populace in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There is a need for the Department to ensure the NTA has an appraisal of these projects. It has a real impact. This project had €6 million allocated and a 100% overrun in terms of time. I expect it is a 100% overrun in budget as well, and maybe more. It was to be one element of a network of developments. What does the Minister imagine the response will be if the local authority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish the Minister well. I thank him for his engagements over this Dáil term in this committee, at the climate committee and in the Dáil Chamber. I wish him well for the future.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: From my perspective, I first thank the Minister for the mention in his opening statement of the greenway connection from Malahide to Donabate. It is a welcome piece of infrastructure that I am very much looking forward to. It has been in planning for quite a number of years. In fact, when I was Mayor of Fingal, it got a mention in my opening remarks because the collapse of the bridge which...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: That is appreciated. Briefly, in the speaking time I have remaining, which is just a couple of minutes before I ask Senator Craughwell to come in, I have a suggestion. This may be the case in some of the larger post offices, but has any consideration been given to the roll-out of motor tax facilities in post offices, like a terminal-type approach? If so, could the Minister comment on that?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: Fluctuating.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I invite the Department to look at Fairview as an example because that work is almost finished. That might be a good place to start with these enhanced analytics.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank Dr. Walsh for that. The reason I mentioned it is that we had Mr. Mulvey in with regard to his ongoing membership of the board of An Post. We were having a conversation about viability, IT literacy and stuff like that. It occurred to me that it is part of that conversation. I thank Dr. Walsh for that information. Before I pass on to Senator Craughwell, I ask the Minister to go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: There was another question but we will go with that one. I had another but I have forgotten it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister. In fairness, I will hand over to Senator Craughwell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I will interrupt the Minister for a moment. We had the Estimates yesterday with the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless. This might be helpful to the Senator who, of course, was not present because it was a meeting of the select committee. Mr. Doocey, if I recall correctly, and the Minister of State mentioned that there was provision within the contract with Bristow to provide SAR and that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: I will ask for clarity on that for the benefit of people watching. By top cover, is the Senator referring to fixed-wing aircraft or military aircraft?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: It is my specialist subject so be careful how you tread.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: That illustrates why the spur to the airport will not work. It is not just about the capacity the Minister mentioned or project 4 north, to four-track that line, which we are allegedly getting in the new year. If the Senator and I are both still here, that will make for a fascinating read. It is all about capacity. There have been so many conversations about metro on radio, as I am sure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: The point is that Luas is great to have but it will not work for the airport or Swords.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: It does not have the capacity. The northern commuter line is already jammed, as we saw and the Minister alluded to. As I said, it is my specialist subject.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Performance Report 2023: Department of Transport (6 Nov 2024)

Alan Farrell: On that point, I wrote to a constituent today about BusConnects. The issue of speed is absolutely critical. In Swords, the current journey time to the city centre is 71 minutes. I am not sure whether that figure is from the CSO or the Department. Without intervention, it will rise to 80 minutes. With the BusConnects projects coming on stream under the A spine, the proposal is to reduce...