Alan Kelly
Question:266. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the amount her Department has spent on legal fees for each of the years 2020-2025, in tabular form. [5533/26]
View answerDepartmental Expenditure
Questions (266)
Written answers
There are different circumstances where legal fees are incurred by my Department. In terms of litigation, the Deputy will be aware that all claims for personal injuries taken by current and former members of the Defence Forces have been delegated to the State Claims Agency (SCA). The SCA manages and provides legal representation in relation to personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence. External legal costs incurred by the SCA arising from the defence of any claims managed by the Agency for my Department are refunded to the Agency by the Department.
Employment Law matters taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on my behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO). The CSSO is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in the litigation cases that it manages on behalf of my Department.
The Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry (‘Tribunal’) was established by Statutory Instrument on 20 June 2024, to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct. The Tribunal also have the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
The table below sets out the total expenditure per year on Litigation, including settlements, legal costs, expert reports and legal advices.
It should also be noted that the information contained in the table below does not include costs relating to court-marital cases. While the Department does not engage these services directly, it funds the provision of legal aid in respect of court-martial cases.
Defence Forces
Questions (267)
Paul Donnelly
Question:267. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of females that applied to join each branch of Defence Forces in each cadetship and or general services recruitment campaign in 2025, in tabular form. [5549/26]
View answerWritten answers
The military authorities have provided the requested information on the number of females that applied for and were inducted to the Permanent Defence Force via General Service Recruitment and Cadetship competitions in 2025 in the table below:
It should also be noted that a further 94 applications were received from females for a range of Direct Entry competitions which resulted in an additional 7 female inductions comprising 4 Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service, 2 Dental Nurses and 1 Band Conductor.
A number of initiatives have been implemented to support the recruitment of females to the Defence Forces. Notable amongst these are:
• A competition for the recruitment of a senior Gender Advisor, GENAD, at Colonel level was successfully completed in 2024.
• Male and female representation is present at all recruitment events and a gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising.
• Fitness test requirements, including the number of push-ups and sit-ups that must be achieved to pass, have been tailored for female candidates. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push up for females.
• The Defence Forces Women's Network aims to increase the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
• Gender, Diversity and Unconscious Bias training has taken place across all Formations and Services.
• The Defence Forces is reaching the final edit stage of a female-focused recruitment campaign. The expected launch date is February 2026.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (268)
Gary Gannon
Question:268. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence to provide a breakdown of expenditure by her Department and bodies, agencies or organisations under her remit on paid verification services on a platform (details supplied) or any other verified account products, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of verified accounts held under each category; the annual cost per account; the total annual cost incurred; the procurement basis under which these services were purchased, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5639/26]
View answerWritten answers
Neither my Department nor any of the agencies under its remit, engaged with paid verification services on the platform concerned or any other verified account products during the period 2023-to date.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (269)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:269. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding Ireland’s national sail training program; whether there are plans to acquire a new national sail training vessel as a successor to Asgard II; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5726/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has a continuing programme of sail training in Ireland, which is operated under a performance delivery agreement with Sail Training Ireland. The funding arrangement was confirmed in December 2018, for the two year period 2019-2020, but was impacted by the Covid Pandemic which prevented training voyages from taking place in 2020 or 2021. Training voyages, and funding, resumed in 2022, and have continued to date under succeeding performance delivery agreements.
In 2025, this organisation operated thirty-two voyages, with almost 500 trainees from across Ireland. A key condition of the funding is that it is directed towards making sail training accessible to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate. As such, 83% of the 2025 participants received funding from the charity due to their personal circumstances, and three of the 2025 voyages were dedicated entirely to those with a disability.
Since 2023, the Department has paid a subvention of one hundred thousand euro per annum to Sail Training Ireland, with a further fifty thousand euro per annum paid from the Dormant Account Fund.
The Government is committed to this programme, which is operating very successfully, and funding is continuing in 2026. In total, by end 2026, some eight hundred and twenty thousand euro will have been provided to Sail Training Ireland.
The Government does not have any plans to acquire a successor to Asgard II.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (270)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:270. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence for an update on any and all engagements or funding supplied, to an organisation (details supplied) over the past five years, in relation to potential scoping, purchase and retrofit of Lady Ellen / Grace O'Malley ship which had been proposed to be the new Irish national sail training vessel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5727/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department had engaged with Atlantic Youth Trust regarding their proposals for the development of this vessel mentioned by the Deputy, and had confirmed the Department’s willingness to explore the possibility of using the vessel, in principle subject to all necessary certifications. The Department did not provide any funding in relation to the scoping, purchase or retrofit of the vessel.
Air Corps
Questions (271)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Question:271. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Defence if all Air Corps helicopters are fully capable of night time reconnaissance during heavy intensive poor weather conditions, such as snow and so on. [5834/26]
View answerWritten answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements, as assigned by Government.
Air Corps rotary wing aircraft are capable of poor weather night-time operations, including surveillance missions, should the operational need arise.
Ports Policy
Questions (272)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:272. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the development of facilities for the offshore renewable sector at Irish ports. [6160/26]
View answerWritten answers
My department is committed to facilitating the development of port facilities to enable Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) development from Irish ports. Developers currently have 3.8GW of ORE capacity currently in the planning system. The Irish ports are in prime position to enable the construction of these Offshore Wind Farms once developers begin to require the use of port facilities for the Marshalling and Assembly (M&A) phase of construction. The ports can also be ready to service the projects from an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) perspective.
In 2021, my department published a policy statement on the facilitation of ORE by Commercial State ports in recognition of the need for additional port capacity to service the ORE industry. The policy statement endorses a multiport approach as the most optimal policy, facilitating a strong response from the ports sector and private entities within ports.
My department has actively encouraged the Commercial State ports to consider the commercial opportunities associated with ORE. To this end, the ports have made significant progress developing ORE-based port projects to a mature stage.
In this regard, the Port of Cork is progressing the construction of the multi-modal berth 'CORE 1' at Ringaskiddy East. The berth represents Phase One of a multi-phase development planned at Ringaskiddy. The development consists of a single berth with depth of 13m, quay length of 200m, laydown/quayside area and a new storage yard.
Having received renewed planning permission in December 2025, the Port of Cork is exploring plans to progress the construction of the second berth at Ringaskiddy.
The Ringaskiddy development presently under construction will be the first port in Ireland with a facility for ORE deployment and will allow the port to facilitate Marshalling and Assembly (M&A) in time for the phase 1 ORE projects in Irish waters. The facility will also be well placed to service future development projects which will come from the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP).
In 2025, Rosslare Europort and the Port of Waterford Company both received Maritime Area Consents (MACs) for their planned projects and both have taken the critical step of submitting planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). Each of these ports are also well placed to support Phase One ORE projects as well as the South Coast DMAP projects.
Rosslare Europort specifically has plans to develop:
• Two ORE purpose-built quays and berth of at least 200m length,
• A 20 ha (200,000m2) reclamation area for ORE quayside storage and preconstruction, and
• Capital dredging will be conducted on the fairway approaches to Rosslare Europort, increasing the depth to 10m.
It is envisaged by Rosslare Europort that construction could commence in 2027 with a two-year construction period. These dates are subject to a final grant of planning permission and confirmation of finance.
Port of Waterford specifically has plans to develop:
• A 250-metre extension to the existing wharves at Belview,
• extensive land reclamation, new quayside operator support facilities with workshops and warehouses, and
• berthing pontoons, and two separate three-storey office and staff buildings for ORE operators.
Furthermore, Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has submitted a maritime area consent (MAC) application to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority for their large-scale development at Foynes Island in 2025. The port is planning to service the development of the future floating industry on Ireland’s West Coast. Shannon Foynes is also stepping up international collaboration, creating the first global Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) Alliance with Port Talbot and the Port of Brest.
Certain local authority-owned ports also envisage a role in the ORE industry. The Department is aware of plans by:
• The Port of Galway and
• Drogheda Port Company (in collaboration with Ronan Group for the Bremore Port Project).
My Department is aware that ESB has plans to develop their power station at Moneypoint in the Shannon Estuary to service Floating Offshore Wind.
My Department is also aware that the following privately-owned ports are planning port projects to enable ORE development, including:
• Greenore Port, owned by Doyle Shipping Group, based in County Louth,
• Leahill Quarry Port in Bantry Bay, and
• Bremore Port project (a collaboration between Drogheda Port Company and Ronan Group).
Tax Collection
Questions (273)
Shay Brennan
Question:273. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of motor tax revenue for the most recent year for which figures are available, by local authority area based on the registered address of the vehicle owner; and to clarify that for the purposes of this breakdown, motor tax payments should be attributed to the local authority in which the vehicle owner ordinarily resides, irrespective of whether the payment was made online or in a different local authority area. [6498/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of State with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that prior to 2018 receipts from Motor Tax were paid into the Local Government Fund. Since 1 January 2018, following budgetary reform measures provided for in the Water Services Act 2017, receipts from Motor Tax have accrued to the Exchequer. Motor Tax receipts are not ringfenced for any particular purpose and are paid directly into the Central Fund.
The table below sets out the amount of Motor Tax collected between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, broken down by the vehicle owner’s county at the time of taxation.
|
County |
Motor Tax Receipts |
|
CARLOW |
€13,209,670 |
|
CAVAN |
€15,614,425 |
|
CLARE |
€24,371,228 |
|
CORK |
€108,140,740 |
|
DONEGAL |
€30,349,412 |
|
DUBLIN |
€221,469,898 |
|
GALWAY |
€50,783,665 |
|
KERRY |
€31,786,093 |
|
KILDARE |
€47,109,155 |
|
KILKENNY |
€20,514,414 |
|
LAOIS |
€16,776,511 |
|
LEITRIM |
€6,963,352 |
|
LIMERICK |
€36,710,531 |
|
LONGFORD |
€8,326,150 |
|
LOUTH |
€22,412,088 |
|
MAYO |
€28,339,213 |
|
MEATH |
€42,111,584 |
|
MONAGHAN |
€13,204,348 |
|
OFFALY |
€15,929,706 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
€14,861,876 |
|
SLIGO |
€12,913,115 |
|
TIPPERARY |
€35,028,715 |
|
WATERFOR |
€23,304,145 |
|
WESTMEATH |
€18,110,433 |
|
WEXFORD |
€35,485,673 |
|
WICKLOW |
€30,623,186 |
|
Total Motor Tax Receipts for 2025 |
€924,449,326 |
Rail Network
Questions (274)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:274. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if there is a clear plan to upgrade the Tralee-Mallow rail service in a manner that goes further than what was announced in the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5419/26]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 proposed works on the Tralee to Mallow rail line, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Driver Test
Questions (275)
Emer Currie
Question:275. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests identified as booked through a third party website; and the number of these tests cancelled, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5449/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Pending this full response, I understand that the RSA is aware of some third party applications purporting to offer driving test candidates cancelled appointments. The only official site for booking a driving test slot is the RSA operated MyRoadSafety portal. The RSA is not affiliated with any third party booking systems and I would urge anybody seeking to book a test to do so through the official RSA portal.
Additionally, the RSA ICT department continues to work closely with their partners to ensure that such sites or third parties are restricted in their ability to access the booking portal.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Road Network
Questions (276)
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Question:276. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Transport if he will allocate additional funding for roads in County Wexford in Budget 2026 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/26]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads.
As regards the basis for allocating grants, within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility with some account taken of traffic. It is envisaged that grants will continue to be made available on that basis.
Basing regional and local roads grant allocations on road conditions could result in an unequitable distribution of Exchequer funding. For example, local authorities that allocate higher levels of own resources funding to regional and local roads will have a larger proportion of roads with a higher condition rating than those with lower levels of own resources funding. Basing allocations on road condition could therefore disincentivise local authorities from allocating own resources funding to roads maintenance.
The Department appreciates that, within the overall parameters set for the grant programme, local authorities might need to target funding at particular problem areas and there is sufficient flexibility in the structure of the grant programme to allow for this. It is also open to each local authority to allocate its own resources to priority areas.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
Grants allocations for 2026 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
Bus Services
Questions (277)
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Question:277. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Transport if new bus routes will be provided for counties Wicklow and Wexford under his Department’s 2026 current expenditure allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5456/26]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. While my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide, it is the NTA that have the statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.
In this context, I secured an unprecedented allocation of €940 million for PSO services in Budget 2026, a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from 2025. This allocation will ensure that existing public transport services can operate reliably and sustainably throughout the year in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs. The allocation will also allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and the Young Adult Card for those aged 19–25, as part of the NTA’s National Fares Strategy.
The 2026 allocation prioritises the advancement of ongoing programmes and commitments in line with operational readiness and resource availability. This includes the recently announced changes to route alignments under Phase 7 of BusConnects and the upcoming rollout of new town services in Mullingar in Q1 2026. Also included is €31 million for rural transport in 2026 – a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland, to meet demand in communities that depend on these services most.
My Department continues to engage with the NTA as they finalise their 2026 service plan, ensuring that planning and strategic decisions are informed by both operational and resource considerations.
Rail Network
Questions (278)
Conor D. McGuinness
Question:278. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he will support the introduction of an hourly rail service between Dublin Heuston and Waterford, alongside full double-tracking of the Dublin–Waterford rail corridor and associated capacity upgrades, including the reopening of platform 2 at Thomastown Station. [5477/26]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published by the Department of Transport in November last year. This includes a new platform at Limerick Junction, and a new passing loop east of Clonmel, which will support journeys between Waterford and Limerick.
The Rail Strategy also identifies Major Projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification of the Dublin to Waterford rail line, to be progressed.
Waterford will benefit from a new train station is currently under construction in the city, for opening in 2027, as part of the ambitious North Quays development.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
School Transport
Questions (279)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Question:279. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Safer routes to Schools Programme in Carlow for 2023,2024,2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5483/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions including, in some cases, School Zones.
These projects should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.
Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 932 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. Schools are processed in tranches with 4 Rounds having been announced to date. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in the Rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.
Following the announcement of Round 4 of the SRTS Programme in December 2025, 9 schools in Carlow County Council are now active in the Programme, with works at 4 of these schools having been completed. The remaining schools are at various levels of design and development.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
School Transport
Questions (280)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Question:280. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Safer Routes to Schools Programme in Kilkenny for 2023,2024,2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5484/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions including, in some cases, School Zones.
These projects should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.
Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 932 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. Schools are processed in tranches with 4 rounds having been announced to date. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in the rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.
Following the announcement of Round 4 of the SRTS Programme in December 2025, 15 schools in Kilkenny County Council are now active in the Programme, with works at 5 of these schools having been completed. The remaining schools are at various levels of design and development.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Public Transport
Questions (281)
Emer Currie
Question:281. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if plans are in place to extend public transport in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5497/26]
View answerWritten answers
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. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Road Signage
Questions (282)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:282. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when cameras at traffic lights to detect motorists who break red lights will be implemented; the reason for the delay in their roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5509/26]
View answerWritten answers
The increased deployment of safety cameras in the coming years is a key action to be delivered under the Phase 2 Action Plan of the all-of-Government Road Safety Strategy. The Phase 2 Action Plan was published in July 2025 and includes 12 primary actions supplemented by a further 77 support actions. These actions are being delivered collaboratively by road safety partners and align with commitments in the Programme for Government.
Work on the first National Safety Camera Strategy is progressing and is now at an advanced stage. The Department is working closely with road safety stakeholders, including the NTA, TII, RSA and An Garda Síochána, on how best to implement the Strategy. The Strategy has an initial focus on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future. It is expected that the Strategy will be approved early in 2026. Once this strategy is in place, it will provide the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences.
Once finalised, the safety camera strategy will allow for clear identification of the scale and ambit of the overall camera enforcement system needed, which will then allow the appropriate structuring of any procurement process to ensure that the system and any operational contracts are sized and planned correctly. It is the view of the NTA that tendering for equipment and services for just one or two isolated junctions in advance of the finalisation of the strategy would not provide a system that would be scalable to include other junctions, other areas and other offence types. Extending such an arrangement on an ad hoc basis would require new tender competitions, potentially leading to multiple different camera types and multiple operators, which would create difficulties in both integration and enforcement consistency.
Rail Network
Questions (283)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:283. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the work carried out to date on the extension of the Luas green line to Bray; the length of time it will take to complete, from the start date of the works until the opening of the extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5510/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases - short-term up to 2030, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer - term from 2037 to 2042. An extension of the Luas Green line to Bray is part of the strategy's medium-term proposals for development and delivery within 2031-2036 and is part of a number of proposed expansions to the Luas network over the lifetime of the strategy.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Pension Provisions
Questions (284, 320)
Ciarán Ahern
Question:284. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the 5% increase in pensions for retired CIÉ workers which was agreed in August of 2025; to provide an update on the Statutory Instrument required to give effect to the increase; when he expects the Statutory Instrument to be finalised; when he expects the increase to be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5511/26]
View answerMichael Healy-Rae
Question:320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the CIÉ pension scheme proposals approved by a vote in August 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5928/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 320 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 and the matter of increases to pension payments.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate procedures, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals as part of the formal process, which is now underway.
Decisions regarding pension increases are ultimately a matter for the CIÉ Board as informed by actuarial advice and are subject to requirements imposed by statute and scheme rules. Accordingly, I have referred this aspect of the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (285)
Alan Kelly
Question:285. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department has spent on legal fees for each of the years 2020-2025, in tabular form. [5546/26]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table
|
YEAR |
€ |
|
2025 |
Yet to be finalised -awaiting final figures from State Claims Agency |
|
2024 |
€34,000 |
|
2023 |
€322,000 |
|
2022 |
€1,537,000 |
|
2021 |
€312,000 |
|
2020 |
€262,000 |
Once finalised the 2025 figures will be noted in the Department's Appropriation Accounts available from the Comptroller and Auditor General website.
Dublin Airport Authority
Questions (286)
Paul Donnelly
Question:286. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the works that would need to be carried out at Dublin Airport to be able to handle a number of Airbus A380 type of aircraft at the same time. [5554/26]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport. I have sought information from daa on the question you have raised on capacity at Dublin Airport for multiple Airbus A380 aircraft.
daa have advised that the airport can accommodate occasional A380 movements, as the North Runway is compliant to international standards (code F) in this regard. It is important to note that such requests are rarely received, and there is currently no material demand from airlines for expanded A380 capability at Dublin Airport.
To date, Dublin Airport has handled A380 movements on an infrequent basis.
Accommodating multiple A380s simultaneously would require significant additional infrastructure. The aircraft’s 80-metre wingspan necessitates wider taxiway clearance to ensure safe, unrestricted movements for other aircraft. Dublin Airport would also require new Code F contact stands, as existing stands are designed for Code E aircraft, these codes are ICAO standards. At present, an A380 must be accommodated using two remote stand positions.
In addition, the airport does not currently have dual-deck airbridges to facilitate efficient boarding and disembarkation. Remote stand operations for an aircraft of this size would involve substantial bussing logistics, potentially serving up to 600 passengers per flight.
For these reasons, regular or large-scale A380 operations would only be feasible with major airfield and terminal upgrades.
Bus Éireann
Questions (287)
Paul Donnelly
Question:287. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of electrified buses Bus Eireann has in service; the number of garages Bus Éireann operates; and the number of those garages that have the capacity to charge electric buses. [5555/26]
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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.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.