Written Answers Nos. 99-115
100. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the data available regarding driving tests for those applying to take the test for a second or subsequent time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64029/25]
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. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
101. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the number of driving test centres above the ten-week service level agreement (SLA); the number of driving test centres on or below the ten-week SLA, broken down per month from March to October 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64030/25]
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. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
102. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport whether multi-permit holders can access cancelled driving test slots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64031/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
103. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the system in place to advertise cancelled driving test slots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64032/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, in general terms I understand that if a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the Authority make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety portal.
104. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport to address the criticism of some taxi drivers of his recent response regarding the introduction of fixed fares by a taxi company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64070/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a 'Maximum Fares Order' fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey and ensuring the protection of passengers. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024 and a maximum fare review is carried our approximately every two years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. It should be noted that hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.
As set out in the legislation, charging in excess of this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted. SPSV operators are self-employed and can decide whether (or not) to sign-up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with a dispatch operator in Ireland. Where they choose to do so, taxi drivers are free to contract with any dispatch operator of their choice. I intend to ask the NTA as regulator to formally clarify the position on this matter.
Neither I, my Department nor the NTA are parties to the commercial or contractual arrangements in place between SPSV drivers and dispatch operator(s).
105. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 4 November 2025, to urgently request Iarnród Éireann in the interest of passenger safety to clarify the precise planning reference number for the planning permission for the new railway overbridge at Park/Carcur Wexford obtained by a third-party developer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64146/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Iarnród Éireann, or IÉ, has advised that the Third Party overbridge at Carcur has been through IÉ’s Infrastructure Management Safety Approval process. The project has also been through the Commission for Railway Regulation (CRR) Authorisation for Placing in Service (APIS), and upon completion of the construction of the bridge, IÉ and CRR will conduct a site inspection of the bridge in respect of the safety of the railway.
There is a bridge agreement in place between Wexford County Council, as the owner of the bridge, and IÉ. All clarification regarding the planning permission should be sought from Wexford County Council, as this structure is the subject of a planning application by a third-party developer, and will not be owned by IÉ. Given this situation, the Deputy may wish to contact Wexford County Council in relation to the query.
106. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the proposed transport security taskforce to be established; to commit to the inclusion of trade unions representing transport workers on the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64172/25]
View answerAs Minister or Transport, I can assure you that my Department is actively progressing the legislative proposals required to deliver on the Government’s commitment to establish a Transport Security Force and is working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in this regard.
This work involves careful and informed consideration of the most appropriate model for the force, with all key stakeholders fully engaged – the NTA, operators, trade unions, passenger groups, An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice. Since assuming office, I have met with these stakeholders as a collective twice and we will continue to work together to deliver on this commitment.
The Programme for Government sets out a clear commitment: that a Transport Security Force will operate under the NTA with powers similar to those held by Airport Police and Customs Officers. The introduction of such a force will require new legislation and this issue is a priority for my Department, and we are determined to advance it as swiftly as possible. We expect legislation to progress during 2026 with a view to having the force operational by 2027.
In parallel with the work being carried out in the Department of Transport, the Government continues to invest heavily in public transport safety, to date €14 million in 2025 . Twenty rapid response hubs have now been established across the Iarnród Éireann intercity network, enhancing their ability to respond quickly to incidents and support frontline staff. In the Dublin region, the Dublin Bus Safer Journeys Team has dedicated units covering North, South, and Central Dublin as of February 2025.
All buses are also now equipped with eleven internal CCTV cameras, and the modern fleet includes three external cameras on each bus to further strengthen surveillance and deterrence. On the Luas, Transdev has a full time dedicated security staff patrolling both Red & Green lines from early morning to last tram.
While these measures mark significant progress, antisocial behaviour on public transport remains a serious concern. It is those who use and work within the network who are most directly affected, and the establishment of the Transport Security Force will be key in addressing this issue.
The establishment of this Transport Security Force is a key priority for Government, and as the Minister for Transport I fully support all the ongoing positive work to progress towards creating a safer public transport network for staff and passengers.
In the meantime, we are committed to delivering a safe and secure public transport system, and we will maintain momentum on all fronts until the Transport Security Force is in place.
107. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the number of public EV charging points installed in Kildare north in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64188/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2025 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
The number of publicly accessible charge points in Ireland increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to approximately 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally, depending on the level of power supplied at each.
Currently, the Department of Transport does not track the number of publicly accessible EV charging stations by region. However, ZEVI is in developing a Data Strategy and data platforms that will, once in place, enhance the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure.
The system will enable the collection of data from charge-points in near real time and provide it on an Open Data basis. The obligation on charge-point operators and owners to share this data is legislated for in the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.
108. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the number of scheduled services that failed to operate, such as ghost buses, by route, for buses in Kildare north in each month of 2024 and 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64189/25]
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 this case Dublin Bus and Go Ahead.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
The NTA's contracts with public transport operators have been strengthened in recent years, to incentivise operators to operate more reliable and punctual services, and they are also investing in a new vehicle location system for the fleet which will improve the reliability of the real time passenger information system.
We are seeing more people using public transport services and we are improving our fleet across the country and I am acutely aware that commuters need certainty around bus services.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA, Dublin Bus and Go Ahead for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
109. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department have engaged with Bus Éireann on its review of Expressway routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64227/25]
View answer110. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether he has met with Bus Éireann management regarding the future operation of Expressway bus services, which were the recent subject of media coverage (details supplied); whether he will intervene to ensure that these Expressway routes will remain in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64242/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
As 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.
My Department's officials and I engage with all agencies under the remit of my Department on a wide range of issues on a regular basis, and have met with Bus Éireann a number of times in 2025 to discuss a wide range of issues including those in relation to Expressway. As you are aware Bus Éireann's Expressway service is a commercial bus service and responsibility for the operation of the service is a matter for the company in the first instance.
111. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the likely priorities on transport during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64265/25]
View answerMy Department is engaged in the whole-of-government effort to deliver a successful Irish Presidency on the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Our priorities for Transport are continuing to be developed, and will algin with the thematic priorities for the Irish Presidency as a whole. Ireland’s priorities and overall policy programme for the Presidency will be finalised and published in June 2026. While it is not possible to state definitively at this stage what these priorities will be, the policy programme will be prepared against the backdrop of the EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-29 and the range of initiatives proposed in the 2026 European Commission Work Programme. The evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda for the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) formation through the Danish and Cypriot Presidencies over the coming months will also have a bearing on the definition of specific priorities to be taken forward for Transport in 2026.
Overall, our Presidency priorities for will reflect the work that needs to be done to address the common challenges that we face across the Union.
My Department will continue to refine its priorities for the TTE Council and work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of the whole-of-government effort to develop Ireland’s overall Presidency Programme.
112. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the current status of the Sutton to Sandycove greenway project, including the section connecting Clontarf to Sutton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64294/25]
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.
113. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he has any plans to extend the current legislation to cover the enforcement of disabled parking spaces located in private car parks in order to ensure consistent protection and accessibility for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64315/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my remit is limited to the drafting of legislation underpinning the Disabled Parking Scheme, encompassing such aspects as eligibility for a disabled parking permit and the nomination of specific bodies responsible for issuing permits.
Disabled parking regulations, as with most areas of road traffic legislation, can only be enforced for public roads and car parks. The enforcement of disabled bay use in private car parks, such as those attached to shopping centres and other commercial premises, is the responsibility of the car park's owner. It is not within the power of An Garda Síochána or local authority traffic wardens to issue penalties in these private areas and it is not within the scope of road traffic legislation to grant such powers.
114. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the review being carried out on the capacity of the 424 bus; if an additional bus route from Bearna to Galway city will be considered as a solution to the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64341/25]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural 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 this case Bus Éireann.
In light of the above, 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.
115. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the current process of exchanging a non-Irish driving licence for a Irish licence in the case of returning citizens who initially sat and passed their driving test in Ireland. [64550/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level and EU driving licences are recognised and exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.
A person who is resident in Ireland must have an Irish/EU driving licence to drive here. An Irish driving licence can be renewed in Ireland up to 10 years after the date of expiry of the licence. After this time, the licence cannot be renewed and the person is no longer considered a qualified driver.
I do not propose to make exceptions for people returning to Ireland who previously held an Irish driving licence which has now lapsed by more than 10 years - the period within which the licence may be renewed - and the holder is treated the same as residents in the State whose licences have expired by more than 10 years.
