Written Answers Nos. 157-174
157. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 28 January 2026, the full actions that were taken to address the small-scale oil slick at a location (details supplied), particularly in relation to the joined up response between his Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Irish Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/26]
View answerAs advised in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 28 January 2026, it is my understanding the Irish Coast Guard was made aware of a potential oil pollution incident on Killiney Beach on December 30th 2025. I understand the member of the public was directed to engage with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, as the relevant authority, who subsequently responded to the incident in accordance with its own pollution emergency (spill contingency) plan, as provided for in the National Maritime Oil/HNS Spill Contingency Plan.
Responsibility for responding to oil pollution incidents on land, such as beaches, is a matter for the relevant authorities, in this instance Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It is a matter for the County Council to manage the pollution response, including engagement with relevant state services as appropriate.
158. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport the Safe Routes to Schools projects funded, completed, and under construction in the Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown Council area. [8912/26]
View answerThe 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 four 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 in forthcoming rounds.
12 schools in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area have been selected for inclusion in the SRTS programme across the first four rounds. As of December 2025, none of these projects are completed or under construction; however four schools are at detailed design stage. Given the role of the NTA in funding projects under the SRTS Programme, 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.
159. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has defined objective criteria for determining when a national road project listed in the National Development Plan progresses from inclusion status to an active delivery priority; whether the N72 Mallow relief road currently meets those criteria; and if he will set out the basis for that assessment. [8914/26]
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 planning, design and construction 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.
The advancement of the national road projects listed in the National Development Plan and Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport is a priority. In that regard, the Sectoral Investment Plan contains a list of projects expected to be in procurement or under construction by 2030. This includes the N72 Mallow Relief Road.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding the latest status of the N72 Mallow Relief Road. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
160. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether anomalous aerial observations, including unidentified or non-cooperative aircraft observed in Irish airspace, are explicitly recognised by his Department and the Irish Aviation Authority as reportable safety-of-flight occurrences under Regulation (EU) No. 376/2014; and if so, the specific guidance, definitions, or standard operating procedures which are issued to flight crews to ensure such observations are reported consistently and without ambiguity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8915/26]
View answer161. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department is aware that Irish-registered flight crews operating transatlantic services are subject to clearer and more explicit mandatory reporting requirements for anomalous aerial observations when operating in U.S. airspace than when operating in Irish airspace; whether his Department considers this mid-air regulatory inconsistency as an issue to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8916/26]
View answer162. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport in view of proposals to increase passenger numbers at Dublin Airport through the removal of the passenger cap, if his Department has undertaken any assessments of whether existing safety-of-flight reporting procedures for anomalous aerial observations are sufficiently explicit, standardised, and mandatory to support increased traffic volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8917/26]
View answer163. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has examined differences between the reporting procedures available to Irish registered flight crews when operating in United States airspace and those applicable when operating in Irish airspace, in respect of anomalous aerial observations; whether he considers existing Irish procedures to be sufficiently clear and accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/26]
View answer164. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport in the context of proposals to increase passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, the assessment that has been carried out of whether current safety of flight reporting procedures for anomalous aerial observations meet international best practice standards; whether any gaps have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8938/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 to 164, inclusive, together.
The legislative framework for the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation to which Ireland and all other EU Member States adhere to is established by Regulation (EU) 376/2014. The Regulation requires Member States to establish both a mandatory occurrence reporting system (for certain categories of occurrences which may represent a significant risk to aviation safety) and a voluntary reporting system to facilitate the collection of details of occurrences and safety-related information not subject to mandatory reporting.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 sets out the list of classifying occurrences to be mandatorily reported pursuant to Regulation (EU) 376/2014.
Under Regulation (EU) 376/2014 aviation personnel, including pilots, are responsible for reporting safety occurrences to their organisation and additionally may elect to report directly to the competent authority. In Ireland, the competent authority under the occurrence reporting legislation is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The occurrence reporting regulation is implemented by organisations via the Safety Management Systems (SMS) as required under Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. Organisations must submit reports to the ECCAIRS mandatory occurrence reporting system.
ECCAIRS is a digital platform managed by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supporting Member States’ aviation authorities in collecting, sharing and analysing their safety information.
Reports submitted to ECCAIRS are then followed up as appropriate by IAA inspectors, who may seek further information if necessary.
Regulation (EU) 376/2014 includes specific provisions regarding confidentiality of occurrence reports, protection of source and use of data. This ensures, for example, that the name of the reporter is protected, and whether it is a mandatory report or a voluntary report. The protection of safety data, safety information and related sources is essential to ensure their continued availability, since the use of safety data and safety information for purposes other than maintaining or improving safety may inhibit the future availability of such data and information, with a significant adverse effect on safety.
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), sometimes referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or anomalous aerial observations (AAOs) are not, in general, subject to mandatory reporting requirements where those observations do not otherwise fall under the list of classifying occurrences set out in the Implementing Regulation. This is in line with the approach taken in other EU Member States and best practice globally.
165. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the financial supports available to schools for safety measures outside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8957/26]
View answerThe 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 four 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 in forthcoming rounds.
Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the programme currently. It should be noted, however, that funding for Active Travel infrastructure for schools is not confined to the Safe Routes to Schools Programme alone. In some cases, schools outside the SRTS Programme are included in wider Active Travel projects if they are in the vicinity of these works. The NTA are responsible for selecting and delivering such projects; therefore it is worthwhile for councils to engage with them in the context of future funding allocations.
166. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No.13 of 28 January 2026, to confirm rather than ‘indicate’ if Gardaí have access to data on the NVDF via their mobility device on whether a disqualified driver surrendered their licence or learner permit to the RSA; and if that data is in real time for Gardaí to access at the roadside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/26]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that on receipt of a surrendered licence, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) records the date of surrender on the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database. My Department share daily driver files with the Garda Síochána that include driver disqualification details which also confirm if an associated licence has been surrendered.
My Department has worked closely with An Garda Síochána to enhance the existing data exchanges to provide real-time road side access to NVDF data, but the operational deployment of data and technology is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
168. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Athlone-Galway greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of 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. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel projects is also subject to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals.
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
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169. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to outline the amount of funding allocated for the Athlone-Galway greenway project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/26]
View answer€5,117,484 has been spent on the Athlone to Galway Greenway scheme since 2020 (to the end of 2025). €1,429,584 was spent in 2019 on planning and design works in relation to the Maynooth to Galway route, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of this expenditure on the Athlone to Galway section only.
The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned. €405,000 has been allocated to support this scheme in 2026 – following an external review of the project in 2025, it was determined that a phased delivery model would be the most appropriate strategy in terms of ensuring deliverability. This matter is currently under review by Galway City, Galway, Westmeath, Offaly, and Roscommon County Councils in terms of reviewing options and evaluating the sequence of progressing sections of the greenway.
170. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the reason active travel funding has been cut to Louth County Council in the latest funding allocation; the extent that council officials have told elected representatives that some planned schemes will not go ahead or be delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9033/26]
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 have responsibility for the allocation of funding to local authorities and oversight of the development and delivery of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your questions to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
171. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the assessments that have been carried out concerning accessibility if rail passengers are forced by Irish Rail to change trains at either Greystones or Wicklow railway stations; if he will publish any such assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9059/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As queries relating to the Accessibility at train stations are a matter for Irish Rail in the first instance. I have referred your question to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
172. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport to consider implementing mandatory data sharing with NTA by app-based service providers to ensure regulatory compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9082/26]
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.
173. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he will recognise road-traffic collision and fatality data as public-health data, given that such data relates to preventable deaths and injuries that cluster at identifiable locations; and if he will support the routine sharing and publication of anonymised collision location data for prevention and research purposes, in line with the April 2024 guidance of the Data Protection Commissioner. [9086/26]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions on public roads. The RSA receives both collision data from An Garda Síochána and coronial data for this purpose and produces official statistics to help develop evidence-based road safety interventions.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
174. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the procurement and timings of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9117/26]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, any works at Broombridge station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, 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
