I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 to 492, inclusive, and 495 together.
As Minister for Transport, I wish to advise that like all buses, Class I vehicles must conform with strict standards as outlined below. For this reason, I am satisfied that current restrictions to a maximum speed of 65 kmph is sufficient to protect the driver, and furthermore, as the buses are required to meet UN and EU safety standards, no safety issues have arisen or have been brought to my attention.
Class 1 standee buses, which are typically the urban buses used by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead in Dublin City Centre, must be limited to 65 kmph, whether in urban areas or on the motorway network.
All new category M vehicles must meet the type-approval requirements as set out in EU Regulations 2018/8585 and 2019/2144, which set requirements to certify that a model of a vehicle meets all EU safety, environmental and conformity of production requirements before allowing it to be placed on the EU market. These Regulations are transposed in Ireland via S.I. No. 556/2020 and SI 201 of 2024.
In regard to the Deputy's statement on road traffic accidents, I would like to highlight that the fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 sets a target to halve deaths and serious injuries by the end of this decade and to move towards Vision Zero by 2050. The Phase 2 Action Plan was published in July 2025 and will run to December 2027. The Phase 2 Action Plan contains 12 primary actions and 77 supporting actions with the potential to deliver transformative change. These actions are grounded in the internationally recognised Safe Systems approach and includes actions under each of the seven priority intervention areas. This includes actions under the ‘Safe Vehicles’, ‘Safe and Healthy modes of Travel and ‘Safe Work-related Road Use’ strands. Each of these actions will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders with public transport companies - Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann - leading on the delivery of a number of important supporting actions designed to enhance safety on our roads.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has the statutory responsibility role to carry out road safety research. The Deputy may also note that workplace and employee health and safety is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) which reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As a number of queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bus Éireann, I have, referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
