Written Answers Nos. 178-199
178. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which he will ensure the enforcement of sanctions against Iran agreed at the UN Security Council; to outline trade between Ireland and Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51003/25]
View answerThe European Union implements all sanctions adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
EU Regulations relating to sanctions have direct effect in Irish law, meaning that they must be complied with in the same way as domestic Irish legislation.
As such, a natural or legal person who contravenes a provision of an EU sanctions Regulation would be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.
My Department chairs the Cross Departmental International Sanctions Committee - an interdepartmental group which monitors, reviews, and coordinates the implementation, administration and exchange of information on sanctions in Ireland.
The EU has a number of concerns with Iran including the nuclear issue, Iran’s support of Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, Iran's violation of human rights. It has in consequence imposed a range of sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran.
Ireland understands the position of the E3 (France, Germany and the UK) to initiate the snapback mechanism to re-impose UN sanctions on Iran through the UN Security Council as provided for in the JCPOA agreement and Security Council Resolution 2231. This is a direct consequence of Iran not complying with the JCPOA’s requirements. To avert re-imposition of sanctions and to extend the JCPOA, Iran must engage meaningfully in negotiations on a new nuclear agreement, and allow the IAEA to resume inspections in Iran.
Ireland has had the longstanding position that a negotiated solution is needed to address Iran’s nuclear programme and international concerns about nuclear proliferation.
As a consequence of sanctions, Ireland, and other EU Member States, have very limited trade volumes with Iran and only in goods which are not subject to sanctions. In 2024 goods exports to Iran were valued at €41 million and imports were valued at less than €1 million.
179. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make changes to the passport application system so that apostrophes in surnames along with fadas for Irish names can be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/25]
View answerThe Passport Service accepts both apostrophes and fadas for inclusion on citizens' passports.
The Passport Service is aware that some applicants have experienced difficulty entering an apostrophe on the Passport Online application form.
Following an investigation, it appears that this is a limited issue occuring when using an iOS device where the 'smart punctuation' feature is enabled.
The Passport Service is working with external partners to resolve this issue but in the meantime, applicants who encounter this issue can make a Passport Online application on a PC, laptop or android device, or alternatively disable the 'smart punctuation' feature on their iOS device to allow them to fill out the form correctly.
The Passport Service is not aware of any issues with entering a síneadh fada on the Passport Online application form.
Customers encountering ongoing issues should call our Customer Service Hub at +353 1 671 1633. Line are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm.
180. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific measures agreed under the new UK-Ireland framework on the Troubles legacy; the extent of financial, judicial, and investigative powers being granted to victims’ families; the implications this agreement will have for the State’s legal proceedings at the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51014/25]
View answer181. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish the full text of the new Northern Ireland-UK legacy framework; the timeline for its implementation, including the repeal of the Legacy Act; the legislative or statutory steps required in Ireland; and to identify the resources (funding, staffing, cross-border commitments) that will be committed to ensure victims’ families receive access to inquests and truth-recovery in a timely manner. [51049/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
On 19 September, together with Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I announced publication of an agreed Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles.
The full text of the Joint Framework is available on gov.ie.
The Joint Framework sets out a comprehensive package aimed at providing truth and accountability for victims and families who lost loved ones during the Troubles. It represents a clear break with the 2023 UK Legacy Act, which was opposed by all political parties, victims and survivors groups, and wider civil society in Northern Ireland. The Framework is a welcome return to partnership by the two Governments on Northern Ireland, working as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Framework will deliver fundamental reform of the Legacy Act 2023 and some of the most the important changes to that legislation are outlined below.
The ICRIR will be renamed the Legacy Commission and a suite of changes will ensure much improved independence of the Commission.
Under the Joint Framework, investigations will be provided to UK-wide standards and the Legacy Commission will be tasked to explore all relevant investigative leads in any case referred to it.
A new Inquisitorial Mechanism will be established within the Legacy Commission. Hearings under this mechanism will be presided over by judges. It will be equipped to hold public hearings and, if necessary, private hearings to consider sensitive information. Provision will also be made for next of kin representation.
The Legacy Act’s prohibition on inquests will be removed. Inquests which had commenced but were halted by the Legacy Act will recommence. Inquests that had been ordered but had not begun will be subject to a further decision by the UK Solicitor General on how these will be dealt with. Some may continue as inquests and others may move to the Inquisitorial Mechanism.
This Framework allows for reforms of the disclosure regime that currently applies to the ICRIR.
The two governments will establish a standalone, cross-border information retrieval body, as foreseen in the Stormont House Agreement, on a pilot basis. The body will aim to afford families the opportunity to seek information relevant to the death of a loved one when the investigative route has been unable to recover that information.
The Framework is underpinned by a commitment to reciprocal cooperation. The Government will ensure the necessary arrangements are put in place to facilitate the fullest possible cooperation by the relevant Irish authorities with the Legacy Commission. In turn, the UK authorities will provide reciprocal cooperation to Ireland for investigations, inquests and inquiries in legacy cases.
In terms of a legislative timeline, the Government plans to bring forward legislation to facilitate cooperation, but this can only be determined once the UK legislation reforming the Legacy Commission is in place. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, is committed to bringing forward this legislation soon.
A dedicated legacy unit within An Garda Síochána will be established by the end of the year as a single point of contact for cross-border cooperation on Troubles-related cases and as a central point of contact and coordination for victims and families in relation to Troubles-related investigations undertaken by An Garda Síochána.
The framework provides for effective next of kin participation, including through legal representation. The Government commits €25m to support this engagement of victims and families with the new legacy processes.
The two key tests I set over the course of these negotiations were, first, that any reformed legacy architecture be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and, second, that it can secure the confidence of victims and survivors. I believe that the package I announced on 19 September can meet those tests.
Finally, in relation to the inter-state case, it remains in place. However, if the Joint Framework is translated faithfully into amending legislation, I hope to be in a position to revisit the issue of our inter-state case at the European Court of Human Rights.
182. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which a multi-agency investigation confirmed the extent of the August 2025 fish kill in the Blackwater but failed to establish a source or cause; and if additional investigative steps such as independent hydrological analysis or technical assistance from the European Commission will now be undertaken. [50871/25]
View answer184. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to explain his Department’s final position on the cause of the Blackwater fish kill, given public communications that evolved from possible disease to pollution; and to reconcile this with laboratory results published on 18 and 19 September 2025. [50907/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 184 together.
An Inter-Agency Group was established to investigate the incident and to ensure that a coordinated and thorough response was in place. This group is coordinated by IFI and includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute, Cork County Council, the Local Authorities Water Programme, Uisce Éireann, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Health Services Executive. The Group has met several times, including three times under my chairmanship.
Over the last month, extensive investigations and testing have been carried out by the relevant agencies and all potential pollution sources in the area have been examined. While pathology testing carried out by the Marine Institute indicated that possible exposure to some form of environmental insult or water-borne irritant was likely to have caused or contributed to the incident, no definitive cause for the fish kill has been identified in any of the test results. Unfortunately, this is not unusual. In some cases the triggering factor has either dissipated or is not detectable by the time an investigation commences, making identification impossible.
A full incident report will be completed by the Inter Agency Group, which will review the actions taken by all agencies involved and include full and comprehensive findings from all investigations.
There are no plans to undertake an independent hydrological analysis or seek technical assistance from the European Commission. However, if new scientific data becomes available, this position may be reviewed.
183. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide details of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s quantified estimate of fish mortalities by species and life stage on the Blackwater in August 2025; the river reach affected by kilometre, the ecological risk assessment used; and the planned remediation and stock recovery measures with timelines and funding. [50900/25]
View answerThe provision of technical details regarding the fieldwork of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in its scientific assessments and investigations of fish mortality events are operational matters for IFI and not a function of the Minister or Department.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is the independent statutory body tasked with the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
185. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the implications of Ireland’s ratification of the UN High Seas Treaty; whether he intends to designate additional marine protected areas under the Treaty; the funding and enforcement resources that will be allocated; the means by which Ireland will engage with EU partners to ensure compliance and cooperation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51020/25]
View answerThe UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (known as the ‘BBNJ Agreement’ or ‘High Seas Treaty’) was adopted by consensus by the UN in June 2023 and signed on behalf of Ireland on 20 September 2023. The Dáil approval for ratification of the BBNJ Agreement by Ireland was given on 17 September and the Taoiseach deposited Ireland’s instrument of ratification at the UN on 23 September 2025.
The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement in January 2026 will represent a significant breakthrough for global ocean governance following a process that took over 20 years.
The BBNJ Agreement will allow for the creation of a global mechanism for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction, namely the high seas and deep seabed. These areas comprise two thirds of global oceans.
In addition to its provisions on MPAs, the BBNJ Agreement will strengthen the global regime for the conduct of environmental impact assessments for activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Furthermore, the BBNJ Agreement makes provision for a benefit sharing mechanism in respect of marine genetic resources and contains provisions on capacity building and technology transfer to support developing countries.
In relation to future proposals for high seas MPAs under BBNJ, work to operationalize the Agreement at the UN level and establish the relevant bodies responsible for processing and evaluating MPA proposals is underway. Ireland is working with other Member States of the EU to bring this work to fruition through a series of Preparatory Commissions (PrepComs). The European Commission has proposed a draft Directive to implement part of the BBNJ Agreement, which is currently undergoing consideration at the European Council Working Party on the Environment. Ireland is actively engaged in the development of this Directive. Ireland is also part of the High Ambition Coalition of more than 40 countries committed to swift entry into force and ambitious implementation of the historic BBNJ Agreement.
As BBNJ rolls out, the Department will work closely with other relevant Departments to identify the legislative and resource requirements necessary to ensure its implementation.
Prior to BBNJ ratification, Ireland, along with the 15 other Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the 'OSPAR Convention'), already designated 12 Marine Protected Areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction in the North East Atlantic. The most recent of these was in 2021. When it enters into force, the BBNJ Agreement will complement the work of organizations with existing mandates in the high seas, such as OSPAR.
186. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of instances of non-compliance with the DRS scheme (details supplied); if he has met with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss compliance and enforcement; the sanctions in place for retailers and/or suppliers who are non-compliant; whether data is being collected regarding compliance rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51084/25]
View answerThe Deposit Return Scheme, or DRS, was introduced in February 2024 to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products.
Re-turn is responsible for all operational and compliance matters relating to DRS and while I have no function in the day-to-day business operations, officials from the Department monitor performance of the scheme closely.
Under the Deposit Return Scheme regulations, local authorities have responsibility for enforcement of compliance obligations. Re-turn works closely with the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities who support local authorities with their regulatory responsibilities.
Re-turn has informed the Department that enforcement of the scheme is a key priority for them. They have put processes in place to identify and detect instances of non-compliance which are supplemented through data analysis, market research and location visits. In addition, there is a portal available on Re-turn's website, which allows members of the public and the trade to notify them of any concerns.
I am advised that Re-turn schedules approximately 400 monthly compliance visits to premises, with adherence levels varying depending on the sector visited. Where instances of non-compliance are detected, Re-turn will engage and support the premises in their efforts to gain compliance.
Where non-compliance remains an ongoing issue, the case is referred to the relevant local authority for enforcement action. A prosecution for an offence determined in accordance with Regulation 19 of the DRS regulations will be subject to the penalties in section 10 of the Waste Management Act of 1996 and prosecuted in accordance with section 11, 12 and 13 of the Waste Management Act of 1996.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the necessary capital spending increase needed in 2026 in order to meet level of ambition 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50859/25]
View answerThe Government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces in July, 2022. This provided for a rise in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of the annual Estimates process.
The revised NDP Capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 is €1.7 billion. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion and provides Defence with almost one billion in capital funding to 2028. For 2026, the Defence capital allocation will increase by €85 million to €300 million, the highest allocation to date.
The revised capital allocations will enable targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments within LOA 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces Report.
Capital Investment in Defence primarily provides for the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence equipment and infrastructural platforms – expenditure which enhances and supports military capabilities and therefore contributes to a more secure and resilient society.
As Defence capital expenditure is often atypical, with long lead-in times, the funding certainty now in place will complement internal equipment and infrastructural planning frameworks, tasked with progressing a significant pipeline of priority infrastructural and equipment projects.
As outlined in parallel with the publication of revised multi-annual allocations, Defence is currently re-evaluating all its strategic equipment and infrastructural priorities to align with the revised 2026 annual capital allocation provided - with specific details on sectoral investment plans to be published later this year.
188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the estimated level of defence spending that will be needed in 2028 in order to reach €1.5 billion in 2022 prices; the amount that would be required in 2026 in order to reach €1.5 billion in 2022 prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50860/25]
View answerThe Government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) in July, 2022. This provided for a rise in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of the annual Estimates process. The Estimate process encompass a twelve-month funding cycle, and is set within the broad macro financial parameters outlined in the prevailing Summer Economic Statement.
To date, these processes have delivered a funding increase of €243 million (22%) to the Defence Vote Group since the Government approved the Commission Report, with Budget 2025 providing an overall funding allocation of €1.35 billion to the Defence Vote Group – the largest allocation received to date.
Separately, but aligned with annual Estimates processes, my Department was recently allocated €1.7 billion in capital funding as part of the recent NDP review out to 2030. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion, and will provide almost €1 billion in Defence capital funding alone to 2028. The revised capital allocations will assist ongoing efforts at modernising and upgrading Defence equipment and built infrastructure platforms, and will enable targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments within LOA 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces Report.
Average annual inflation rates fluctuate year on year, with very high rates observed in 2022 and 2023 in particular. Likewise, inflation forecasts can vary across organisations, with a short-term perspective generally adapted by most public sector bodies when forecasting. These variable factors, further exacerbated by ongoing and significant levels of geopolitical and economic turbulence, mitigate against the provision of any precise spending targets out to 2028 at this juncture.
It should also be noted that in determining an estimated level of spending out to 2028, the Commission Report outlined an approximate estimate of the likely overall costs of moving to LOA 2 rather than specifying annual targets to be achieved during the transition to that level. In that context, my officials are actively engaging with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation on Budget 2026, and building on progress made over recent years, I remain hopeful of a positive outcome.
Similar to recent years, any increased funding will be used to enable further progress on the financial targets outlined within the Commission Report, while also ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to have the capacity to undertake all ongoing roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas.
189. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the State's participation in NATO's Support and Procurement Agency; for a breakdown of all payments to this agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50990/25]
View answerIreland's relationship with NATO is conducted through Partnership for Peace (PfP), of which Ireland has been a member since 1999. Participation in PfP is seen as fundamental to Ireland being able to meet its obligations in providing professional peacekeepers for international crisis management and peace operations and in enhancing the Defence Forces’ interoperability with other professional military forces as part of that, as evidenced by the Defence Forces participation in peacekeeping missions such as UNIFIL in Lebanon and KFOR in Kosovo.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is an agency of NATO, headquartered in Luxembourg, which primarily carries out logistics support and procurement activities for NATO member states and partners.
Ireland is not a member of the NSPA and cannot procure from this agency but given our involvement in the KFOR mission in Kosovo, our military personnel do benefit from medical services provided by the NSPA. The payments detailed below relate to these medical services specifically the Role 2 medical facilities (mobile, field-level treatment centres that provide advanced care beyond first aid and which bridge the gap between frontline care and specialized hospital treatment), training and education, and access to logistics databases and catalogues. All of these services are required to ensure that the Defence Forces can operate safely and effectively when deployed on overseas peacekeeping missions.
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
TOTAL |
|
NATO SUPPORT AGENCY (NSPA) |
€5,000 |
€3,760 |
€2,500 |
0 |
€206 |
0 |
€6,003 |
0 |
€2,100 |
€2,100 |
€21,669 |
Also, Ireland participates in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), established in in 2022 to coordinate and enhance military aid and support for Ukraine in response to Russia's illegal invasion, Ireland is a member of the UDCG’s IT Coalition, led by Estonia and Luxembourg. Under this Coalition, Ireland has contributed €12m exclusively for the procurement of non-lethal IT equipment in order to assist Ukraine to build Communication and Information Systems for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces within a secure and reliable ICT infrastructure. The lead countries for this project uses the services of the NSPA to manage procurement on behalf of the IT Coalition.
190. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport the reason that, in the context of double tracking parts of the Rosslare to Dublin rail line, costly tunnelling through Bray Head has been included as part of the proposal; his views on whether more cost-effective ways of double tracking, for example, north of Greystones and south of Greystones as far as Wicklow town, adding a second platform to Wexford O' Hanrahan train station and increasing speeds in south Wicklow, would suffice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50880/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, in relation to the rail network. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Following two public consultations, the Review’s Final Report was published in July 2024.
The Review's Final Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. 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 routes.
The Review considered interventions to enable faster and more frequent journeys between Rosslare Europort and Dublin, including adding passing loops, tunnelling through Bray Head, developing a new railway along the M11 corridor, and building a new line for DART services along the N11 corridor. Many of these solutions would be very costly and unlikely to be justifiable as the line would not be expected to support more than one or two trains per hour in each direction. As these interventions were not further assessed under the Review, there was no cost-benefit analysis performed.
You may be aware the DART+ Coastal South project involves an improvement to DART services on the existing DART line south of Dublin city, with the current focus on enhancing services between Bray and Greystones.
In addition, the NTA's GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042 includes a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages, which are currently undergoing safety testing. The NTA is currently examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension by around 2029, subject to funding and approvals.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
191. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve facilities at Clonmel railway station including the scope of these works subject to planning; the timeline for these works and the level of investment planned; if he will provide an artist’s impression of the station once works are completed. [50915/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
192. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the plans for investment in railway stations and bus stations in 2026, by county, of the proposed investment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50916/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including bus stations.
The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including plans for investment in the rail network, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.
In view of Iarnród Éireann and the NTA's responsibility in the matters raised, I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
193. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received any complaints, disclosures, or internal correspondence regarding governance concerns, conflicts of interest, or procedural irregularities regarding the recent appointment of a chief executive at a company (details supplied); if he will confirm whether the advertised eligibility requirements were met and whether any independent compliance review was undertaken; if protocols for managing conflicts of interest in semi-State recruitment were followed; whether his Department has considered or reviewed any relevant external governance evaluations or internal board assessments arising from the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50940/25]
View answer194. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out whether the recent appointment of a chief executive at a company (details supplied) was conducted in full compliance with statutory and advertised criteria; if his Department received or reviewed any complaints, disclosures, or governance evaluations indicating conflicts of interest, procedural irregularities, or board-level disputes; whether protocols on managing conflicts of interest in semi-State recruitment were applied; and if he will publish the Department’s assessment of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50941/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
The appointment of the CEO to daa, a Commercial State body under my remit, was made in accordance with applicable legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (the Code), with terms and conditions for the role approved by me and sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Recruitment for the position of CEO for daa was undertaken by the Board of Directors by way of open competition, facilitated by an external recruitment specialist.
As outlined in section 13 (8) of the State Airports Act 2004, it is the directors of the company who appoint the CEO.
In accordance with the Code, the delivery of good governance standards across all aspects of the Airports activities is primarily a matter for the board, with my Department providing oversight to ensure good governance is achieved across a broad range of activities, including the process around CEO appointments.
Any conflicts of interest or issues of concern that arise are a matter for the board of the company to evaluate in compliance with the Governance Code of Conduct adopted by the board.
In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, daa's annual report and financial statements include information on performance evaluations of the Board and its committees. The 2024 and 2023 reports as published on daa's website provide details on the evaluations which took place in those years and note any findings.
In relation to external governance reviews, the Code requires that an external evaluation proportionate to the size and requirements of the State body should be carried out at least every three years. The last external board evaluation of the daa was completed in 2023 and the process for the next review is due to be commenced this year.
There is no obligation on the board to present these reviews to my Department.
195. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the projected installation timeline under the all-island sports club EV charging programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50950/25]
View answerThe Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme is a €15 million all-island initiative supporting the installation of publicly accessible EV chargers in sports clubs. The aim of the scheme is to install a network of publicly accessible EV chargers in communities throughout the country, through their local sports clubs.
The scheme is being administered by Pobal on behalf of ZEVI. All terms and conditions of the grant can be found on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie. The shortlisted clubs which are all affiliated with a recognised national governing body and meet the scheme requirements (e.g. 3-phase electricity, public access, proper amenities) took part in a national webinar run by Pobal and ZEVI in August where the next steps of the scheme were outlined.
Clubs are now actively engaging with the Charge Point Operators with permitting and subsequent installation works expected to begin in Q4 once the individual operating agreements between the Charge Point Operators and clubs are agreed.
196. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the number of clubs in Dublin mid-west that have been included in the scope of the all-island sports club EV charging project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50951/25]
View answerIncluded in the scope of the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme are 227 clubs of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland. There are 24 eligible clubs in Dublin, with 2 in the Dublin mid west regions.
All of these clubs have been assessed for suitability by an independent panel for inclusion in the scheme. The scheme includes GAA, rugby, football and golf clubs in towns, rural communities and city suburbs.
197. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the RSA in September 2025 in relation to the opening of the new test centre in South Dublin; if he will provide any updates on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50952/25]
View answer198. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the planned capacity of the new driving test centre in South Dublin, including the number of testers to be assigned and the volume of driving tests it is expected to facilitate on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50953/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the provision of test centres, and I understand that a site had been identified in the Sandyford area which the RSA aims to be open and operational this month.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
199. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether weekend bus timetables should differ from weekday schedules; if more frequent services should operate on Saturdays to reflect higher passenger demand on certain routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50955/25]
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.
