Press Statement Tuesday 8th September 2020
O’Donnell honoured to be appointed Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks
Limerick and North Tipperary Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has been appointed Chair of the newly established Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks. This appointment is to be officially announced in the Dáil today.
Deputy Kieran O’Donnell said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Chair of this important Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks.
“I look forward to taking on this exciting role of Chair and working with my colleagues on the committee in the interests of public accountability, progressing issues that impact on the daily lives of people and to ensure effective scrutiny of legislation in the areas set out under its remit.
“Furthermore, one of the main reasons that influenced my taking on the chair of this specific committee is that it cover areas that greatly impact on Limerick, North Tipperary and the region, including Shannon Airport & Group, Shannon Foynes Port Company, all road & public transport infrastructure, including the M20 and the roll-out of broadband.
“I will be proposing a significant programme of work for the committee that will seek to address many of the major issues facing the country which have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some of these major issues include the future of Aviation travel and policy in Ireland, which is a key concern for us in this region with Shannon Airport as well as the roll out of broadband. I will also be seeking the continued progress of the M20 motorway project which I believe is vital to balanced regional development.
“Remote working has now become part of the fabric of working life across many sectors in the economy – the roll out of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) has to respond to this substantial shift to working from home.
“Faced with this Covid environment, I would be proposing that our committee will engage with relevant stakeholders in seeking a roadmap on fast-tracking the implementation of the NBP.
“In my role as Chair, I also look forward to engaging with individuals and groups who may wish to bring important policy initiatives before the committee for debate and consideration.
END.