Written Answers Nos. 302-321
302. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the provision of a dedicated student bus service from Dublin city centre to UCD and the surrounding accommodation in locations where an existing 24-hour bus route is not in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
303. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the proposed N8 bus route, linking Blanchardstown with Dublin Airport under BusConnects, has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15518/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of BusConnects comprises Core Bus Corridor schemes. To date, An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to eleven of the 12 Core Bus Corridor applications, including the Blanchardstown scheme. However, legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to this scheme.
New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered as part of BusConnects, with the first six phases of the BusConnects Network Redesign rolling out since 2021, including the Northern Orbitals connecting Blanchardstown to the Point Village in 2022, and the Western Orbitals connecting Blanchardstown to Tallaght in 2023.
Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
304. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport to provide details regarding the use of 'near-miss technology' for monitoring accidents on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15519/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
305. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of the amount allocated to each local authority for active travel measures in each of the years 2021 and 2024; the amount actually spent by each local authority and the amount allocated for 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
306. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport his views on the reopening process and timeline of Kilmallock train station, given its specific mention in first draft of the all-island rail review and the final report's commitment to open "new stations on lines to/from Dublin"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15522/25]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the potential reopening of Kilmallock train station, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new and reinstated routes. This includes a proposal to explore the case for developing new stations in the Belfast, Cork, Derry and Limerick – Shannon city regions.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
307. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport to report on the number of inspections of civil aircraft carrying munitions of war that took place in Ireland since January 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/25]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is only provided where the strict conditions set out by my Department are fully met, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
Foreign military aircraft which are given permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection in this regard. Sovereign immunity, a long-standing principle of customary international law, means that a state may not exercise its jurisdiction in respect to another state or its property, including state and military aircraft. This principle applies automatically to foreign State or military aircraft in the same way that it applies to Irish State or military aircraft abroad.
308. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Transport the status of the development of the proposed West Clare Railway Greenway between Kilrush to Kilkee (Section 1), Ennis to Ennistymon (Section 2), and Ennistymon to Miltown Malbay and Miltown Malbay to Moyasta (Section 3 and 4); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel projects is also subject to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
309. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will provide financial support to Shannon Airport Group to establish a route to Amsterdam under a Public Service Obligation. [15584/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Shannon Airport Group made a submission to my Department seeking financial support to establish Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services to provide EU Hub Connectivity to airports such as Schiphol from Shannon Airport.
This request was considered in the context of the Mid-Term Review of the Regional Airports Programme. The potential impacts of supporting such a route on the Exchequer and also on similar routes operating on a commercial basis from other regional airports were carefully considered. Given the cost to the Exchequer and the fact that any Government intervention in this market could distort airlines competing on existing routes, a decision was taken not to support the imposition of a Government funded PSO from Shannon Airport. I understand that this decision was communicated by my Department to Shannon Airport in August 2024.
I also understand that one of the high-level outcomes of the mid-term review announced in July 2024 was to consider the potential for the development of an Exchequer funded Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions, including Shannon. I trust that this initiative will be welcomed by the Deputy and can advise that my Department is preparing to engage with the market in relation to the potential for such a scheme.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that European Hub connectivity from Shannon Airport to onward international destinations is already provided by commercial services operating from Shannon to London Heathrow as well as the more recent commercial service operating to Paris Charles de Gaulle which commenced in September 2023.
310. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Transport to outline the average waiting times for each National Driver Licence Service centre in Ireland on 31 December 2023 and on 31 December 2024, in tabular form; and the measures that have been introduced to increase staffing levels and reduce waiting times across the State. [15585/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
311. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been allocated to the national roads in County Clare for the years 2019 to 2024, by road number and by the following categories, ‘Capital Investment – Protection and Renewal’ and ‘Current Maintenance - Protection and Renewal’, in tabular form. [15586/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
Full details of national roads allocations for 2024 are available on the TII website: www.tii.ie/media/vllac0mr/tii_local-authorities_2024-grant-allocations_final.pdf
National roads allocations for previous years are available at: www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/
312. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport the waiting time for driving tests in Mallow; the actions his Department is taking to reduce the unacceptable waiting time for driving tests in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15627/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputy that measures have been taken to address the issue.
To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.
As a condition of sanction, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. I understand that the recruitment process is well underway, with the first tranche of new testers having commenced training this month. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.
I have been advised by the RSA that the number of testers assigned to Cork is expected to double by the end of April when first tranche of new recruits are fully trained.
313. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of applicants for exemptions to permit the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft from Irish-register civil aircraft operating outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15643/25]
View answerFor 2024, 543 applications for exemptions to permit the carriage of munitions of war on Irish-registered civil aircraft operating outside Ireland were submitted by three Irish licensed airlines.
For January 2025, the only month for which statistics have been collated and published, there were 80 such applications submitted by two Irish licensed airlines.
In the majority of cases, these exemptions apply to the carriage of a single weapon, with or without ammunition, by an armed police officer or armed military personnel travelling between locations in the EU in the course of their duty.
314. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for the extension of free child fares on public service obligation services to children aged five to eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15691/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Under Budget 2025, funding was provided to extend free public transport for children to include those aged 5 to 8 years. Free travel for all children under-fives on subsidised public transport services was introduced in 2017.
The extension will be introduced later this year, with a lead time involved to allow for the necessary technical changes required to facilitate the implementation of this change to child fares. Similar to the previous fare initiatives this measure marks another step towards making sustainable transport a more affordable option for families.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
315. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when the National Transport Authority's survey of bus movements and travel patterns for Nenagh town commenced and will be completed as per their agreement with Tipperary County Council to carry out such work some years ago. [15693/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
316. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of next generation ticketing and cashless payment under BusConnects Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15720/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project is to provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Following a competitive procurement process, the NTA awarded, in April 2024, an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system to a Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
317. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to decide on whether Ukrainian drivers can still avail of free or subsidized CPC training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/25]
View answerEuropean Union Regulation (EU) 2022/1280, which came into force on 27 July 2022, allows for Ukrainians residing in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to drive here on their national driving licences. All categories on the holder's Ukrainian licence are recognised. The Regulation applies to driver documents held by Ukrainians admitted to the EU under the Temporary Protection Directive and for the period of temporary protection only.
A person with C or D categories on their licence (trucks and buses) must have a driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) to drive a truck or bus professionally in Ireland. The EU Regulation allows for the recognition of Ukrainian CPCs, subject to the holder undergoing additional compulsory training. The training consists of 35 hours training, 8 hours supervised driving and a theory test.
The Road Safety Authority and the Department of Transport are not aware of any free or subsidised CPC training for Ukrainian drivers.
318. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if he has had a meeting with the CEO of CIÉ since taking up his position as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/25]
View answerI met with the CEO of Coras Iompair Eireann on the 12th of February 2025.
319. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the last increase in pensions payment was awarded on 1 July 2008, at 5.06% in the 1951 pensions scheme for staff who worked for CIE; if he has had any discussion regarding this matter of not having an increase in 16 years and if so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/25]
View answerFrom the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees, this is consistent with the pension arrangements of semi-state bodies.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and is subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question relating to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
320. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to examine the case of pension entitlements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15737/25]
View answerFrom the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees. As a commercial semi-state body CIÉ are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees, this is consistent with the pension arrangements of semi-state bodies.
I am acutely aware of concerns raised by the members of both CIÉ pension schemes, regarding the lack of pension increases since 2008, especially given the higher cost of living that many are facing. However, decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and is subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules.
My Department is engaged with financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority, and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the matter of bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members.
321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the potential fraud involved in the use of used cooking oil and palm oil effluent as products in renewable fuels, and the concerns of many involved in the renewable fuels industry that the large increase in the use of these products is having a detrimental impact on renewable fuel producers in Ireland, and may also be adding to environmental destruction of forest in Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15749/25]
View answer322. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his plan to ensure that the EU maximum of 1.7% inclusion of Annex B products under the renewable fuels targets is adhered to; what actions his Department will take to insure that the current volumes of palm oil mill effluent and used cooking oils are examined and compliant with EU regulations, and also correctly audited and certified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15750/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.
It is essential that biofuel imports are required to meet the sustainability criteria under the EU Renewable Energy Directive for the purpose of environmental protection and emissions reduction, while ensuring that EU biofuel producers are not disadvantaged and promoting further development of advanced biofuel production within the EU.
The concerns with regard to sustainability of biofuel produced from POME and UCO are EU-wide and not specific to Ireland. The European Commission within the committee established under the Renewable Energy Directive is consulting with Member States on the system for sustainable certification, finalisation of the Union database for tracing biofuel supply, and prevention of fraud cases.
The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for ensuring compliance by fuel suppliers with the EU sustainability criteria and requirements for renewable transport fuel placed on the market under the statutory Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). This compliance is assured through an EU sustainability certification framework, involving certification of economic operations globally (for feedstock collection, biofuel production, storage and supply) by certification bodies against standards established under EU approved Voluntary Schemes. The NORA provides ongoing assurance on the sustainability of the current supply of biofuel to Ireland under the RTFO.
Based upon its analysis, indicating concerns of possible biofuel fraud risk in global supply of palm oil mill effluent (POME), the NORA has recommended the removal of national incentives under the RTFO for POME-derived biofuel products. I have therefore approved the commencement of a statutory consultation process for draft regulations to exclude POME from the award of additional RTFO certificates, with the publication of draft regulations for consultation in the coming weeks.
NORA has also recommended further steps that could be taken to limit the amount of POME derived biofuel supply into Ireland considering the concerns raised through its analysis. These options are being assessed by my Department within the current legal framework.
With regard to biofuels produced from UCO, the recently expanded list of biofuel feedstocks listed in Annex IX Part B of the Directive, and anti-dumping measures on imported biofuels introduced by the EU Commission in 2025, provide a guardrail against the possibility of unsustainable 'Part B' biofuels supply into the Union. The NORA recorded a notable reduction in the supply of UCO-derived biofuel between 2022 and 2023. The supply of UCO-derived biofuel has therefore not triggered an analysis by NORA similar to that conducted in relation to POME, or any recommendation in that regard.
Specifically concerning the Renewable Energy Directive limit of 1.7% share of share of biofuel from Annex IX Part B feedstocks within the calculation of the renewable energy share in transport (RES-T), this limit is adhered to in Ireland's annual reporting to the EU.
There is no limit within the Renewable Energy Directive on the contribution of 'Part B' biofuel to the overall renewable energy share of energy consumption in the State, i.e. across all economic sectors within the Directive scope. Furthermore, the Climate Action Plan incentivises biofuel blends in diesel supply in transport consumption up to a target 20% by 2030, with biofuels contributing to a projected 13.7% of overall transport sector carbon reduction by 2030 under the Plan.
Within this context, the Renewable Energy Directive 1.7% limit on 'Part B' biofuel means that in order for Ireland to meet the 2030 RES-T target as set out in the Directive, alternatives such as renewable electricity in transport, advanced biofuel (produced from Annex IX Part A), and supply of renewable fuels of non-biological origin would need to be further incentivised.
Consideration is being given by my Department to further incentives in this regard, namely, increased sub-target obligation for supply of advanced biofuel and renewable fuels of non-biological origin, and the award of RTFO certificates for supply of renewable electricity at public charge points.
The Renewable Energy Directive also makes provision for a Member State to apply to increase the 1.7% limit on 'Part B' biofuel. Such an application would need to be supported by evidence, and the assessment of the merits of an application by the Commission may require EU-wide data on biofuel supply which will be available on the Union Database when finalised.
My Department is currently developing a draft Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2025-2027, which will address these policy implementation challenges. The draft Policy will be published for consultation in the coming weeks.
