Written Answers Nos. 598-619
598. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 18 December 2025, to report on the meeting (details supplied) between the Department of Transport officials and the NTA regarding the introduction of the fixed-fare model; if he plans to bring in any legislative changes in response to the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74997/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the independent transport regulator of the taxi sector, and I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of that sector.
As previously advised, I wrote to the NTA in November to request clarification on the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike.
Senior officials from my department met with their NTA counterparts to discuss the NTA's response on 09 December 2025. During this meeting, the NTA provided confirmation that the charging of the fixed fare is in accordance with the applicable regulations. Discussions also concerned the existing regulatory framework and the importance of the continued involvement of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles (whose role it is to advise the Minister for Transport and NTA on matters relevant to SPSVs and their drivers).
The structure of the SPSV market has undoubtedly changed over the last number of years, particularly in relation to the role of app-based dispatch operators. With this in mind and following discussions with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs, I have requested that the NTA conducts a regulatory assessment of dispatch operator licensing in Ireland in the context of ensuring that the regulatory framework for this element of the overall sector is sufficiently up to date and robust to respond to developments in the SPSV market since the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. In addition, I have requested that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to feed into this work as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport to consider offering an option on the TFI App for passengers to report buses being late or not showing up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75041/25]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is closely monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. 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.
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.
600. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the statutory instruments required to give legal effect to the May 2025 CIÉ Pension Agreement; and when he expects these instruments to be signed.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75052/25]
View answer601. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has received all necessary documentation from CIÉ Corporate to process the relevant statutory instruments; and if not, the information that remains outstanding. [75053/25]
View answer602. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport whether he has been requested to approve statutory instruments relating to CIÉ pension schemes; and if so, the timeframe for such approval. [75054/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 to 602, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department are currently engaging with CIÉ as well as financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members, including review of the relevant statutory instruments.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate processes, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals.
603. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 1951 CIÉ superannuation scheme remains non-compliant with the IORP II Directive, while the regular wages scheme was brought into compliance in 2022. [75055/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department are currently engaging with CIÉ as well as financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members. This also includes the key matter of bringing the 1951 CIÉ Superannuation Scheme into compliance with the IORP II Directive.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate processes, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals.
604. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport when approximately 800 pensioners in the 1951 CIÉ superannuation scheme will receive the voucher agreed under the 2019 Labour Court recommendation. [75056/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department are currently engaging with CIÉ as well as financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members. This also includes the matter regarding the vouchers agreed under the 2019 Labour Court recommendation for retired members of the 1951 CIÉ Superannuation Scheme.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate processes, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals.
606. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport whether the implications of the Canals Act 1986, including the transfer of assets and staff, have been examined in relation to the pension status of pre-1987 CIÉ employees. [75058/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
In light of the CIÉ’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
607. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the number of projects in his Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75118/25]
View answerI am not aware of any projects directly delivered by the Department which have been subject to delays due the change from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines. Please see outlined below further information regarding National Road Projects, Active Travel and Public Transport and the Departmental agencies involved in delivering projects.
Active Travel
As 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.
Public Transport
As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including on the national rail network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. 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.
National Road Projects
In respect of National Road projects, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme and Greenways Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning and construction of individual national roads and greenways are 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. As such, 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.
608. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide a progress report the South Kerry Greenway; if he will ensure the project (details supplied) is expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75128/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. I note that there has been significant investment in Greenway schemes in County Kerry, with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025 alone.
Under 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.
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.
609. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to urgently re-examine the need for a foot bridge connecting Killarney railway station and Killarney bus station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75129/25]
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 any proposals to provide a link between the train and bus stations in Killarney, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
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.
610. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite major improvement works to the N86 Tralee to Dingle road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75133/25]
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 in relation to the N86.
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.
611. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the precise date on which he or his Department first became aware of a governance dispute between the board of DAA and a person (details supplied); the form in which that information was received; and the actions taken by him or his Department at each subsequent stage to discharge the State’s shareholder oversight responsibilities. [75143/25]
View answer612. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if any proposal for a severance, settlement, mediation outcome, or exit arrangement relating to the DAA Chief Executive was submitted to him or his Department in 2025; the dates and monetary values of each proposal; the statutory or policy basis on which his approval was required; and the reasons each proposal was approved, refused, or allowed to lapse. [75144/25]
View answer613. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the total cost incurred to date by DAA arising from the dispute involving its Chief Executive, including legal fees, mediation costs, investigation costs, external advisers, and salary paid during any period of suspension or leave; and the steps taken by his Department to ensure compliance with public spending rules and value for money. [75145/25]
View answer614. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether he was notified in advance of the DAA board’s decision to suspend the Chief Executive on full pay pending investigation; whether his consent or views were sought; and the assessment carried out by his Department of the financial, legal, and reputational exposure to the State arising from that decision. [75146/25]
View answer615. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if any protected disclosures, workplace complaints, or governance concerns were cited to him or his Department as part of the dispute involving the DAA Chief Executive; and to outline the governance framework under which such matters were handled, including independence safeguards, timelines, and reporting obligations to the shareholder. [75147/25]
View answer616. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the assessment his Department has undertaken of the DAA board’s handling of this matter against the code of practice for the governance of State bodies, including board effectiveness, escalation procedures, risk management, and the handling of disputes involving senior executives. [75148/25]
View answer617. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport when he last met the Chair of DAA and when he last met the DAA Chief Executive; the issues discussed at each engagement insofar as they related to governance and executive leadership; and whether formal records or minutes of those engagements were created and retained by his Department. [75149/25]
View answer618. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the rationale provided to him or his Department for the reported appointment of additional senior executive capacity within DAA during the period of the Chief Executive’s absence; the expected annual cost of those arrangements; and whether his Department assessed alternative options. [75150/25]
View answer619. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the assurances sought or received from DAA to ensure continuity of executive decision making, operational resilience, and delivery of capital and service programmes at Dublin Airport and Cork Airport during the period in which the Chief Executive was absent from the business. [75151/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 611 to 619, inclusive, together.
Given the legal proceedings currently underway by the CEO of daa, it is not appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
