Written Answers Nos. 336-355
340. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he will amend the CIÉ superannuation scheme for those who have not received an increase in their pension for the past 18 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9350/26]
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, alongside our financial and commercial advisors NewERA, are currently engaging with all relevant stakeholders. This includes CIÉ, 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.
341. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to address a number of issues in the Tralee area (details supplied), including additional bus routes and the provision of clear signage for bus stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9392/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus routes and stops/shelters.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the 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.
342. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff directly responsible for cybersecurity, as distinct from IT, within his Department; if a threat analyst, vulnerability manager and a cyber infrastructure engineer are employed; if not in-house, if this work is outsourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9440/26]
View answerFor operational and national security reasons, I do not disclose detailed information on staffing, role titles or headcount relating to my Department’s cybersecurity arrangements. Responsibilities for cybersecurity are clearly assigned within the Department and delivered in conjunction with specialist security partners, ensuring that all key areas are covered in line with recognised industry frameworks and relevant Government guidance to protect public services.
343. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which his Department examines third party supply chain vulnerability when it comes to cybersecurity. [9458/26]
View answerI recognise that cybersecurity risks can arise through third-party suppliers and have ensured that my Department addresses supply-chain risk within its ICT and risk management arrangements. Cybersecurity requirements are built into our procurement processes, contract conditions and ongoing oversight of key ICT and service providers, in line with relevant Government guidance.
345. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to ensure that the effective closure of the M11 at Kilmacanogue as witnessed on 28 January 2026 does not happen again; if there are realistic alternatives for those travelling between counties Wicklow and Wexford, and Dublin. [9470/26]
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 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 any measures in relation to flooding on the N11 at Kilmacanogue.
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.
346. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the offence of 'failure to obey traffic rules at railway level crossing' only incurs two penalty points while 'failure to obey traffic lights' incurs three penalty points; and if he will consider increasing the former to match the latter. [9512/26]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, while the penalty point values for railway crossing and traffic light offences were both originally set at two points with the introduction of penalty points in 2002, a decision was taken in 2014 to increase the latter to three points. This decision was taken on foot of a review of the penalty point system conducted by this Department, and examined by the relevant Oireachtas committee, in 2012.
I can confirm that my Department has no immediate plans to adjust the penalty currently attached to the railway crossing traffic offences, but is happy to consider the matter further should concerns be raised by Irish Rail or by An Garda Síochána.
347. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the number of road deaths and injuries which involve crashes where one or more vehicle drivers (including of bicycles-with-engines-attached, scramblers, normal motorbikes, cars, and tractors) do not have a driving license for the vehicle they are driving at the time of the crash; whether the person driving the scrambler in the case of a person (details supplied) had an appropriate driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/26]
View answerWhile licencing requirements and vehicle regulations are set out by road traffic legislation, neither I nor my Department hold records in relation to specific offences under this legislation and whether or not prosecuted individuals held an appropriate licence. This is a matter for An Garda Síochána to establish during the course of their investigations, with any prosecutions pursued through the Courts Service. The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration may be better positioned to assist the Deputy with his query.
348. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether a coordinated national strategy is in place or in development to provide offshore renewable energy marshalling and laydown capacity, including any review of the National Ports Policy and associated capital funding mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9525/26]
View answerMy Department is committed to facilitating the development of port facilities to enable offshore renewable energy (ORE) development from Irish ports. 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.
Government policy on Commercial State ports, is that they operate on a commercial self-funding basis. Notwithstanding this, my Department established the ORE Ports Facilitation Division which is committed to supporting the development of port infrastructure, to maximise the use of Irish ports for the delivery of offshore wind energy projects.
A key priority of the Division is to identify financing gaps in ORE ports projects and to support ports in identifying potential solutions from both public and private sectors including:
• The European Investment Bank (EIB)
• the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Fund
• Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)
• Other private and public sources of financing and funding
Furthermore, the Division has assisted ports in their applications for CEF 2021-2027 funding by reviewing their draft applications and offering feedback in advance of the application deadline. In 2024, the Port of Cork Company was successful in its CEF funding application and received a grant of €38.4 million euro which enabled the company to enter an investment agreement for €88.5m with ISIF, to fund the construction of Ireland's first ORE enabling port infrastructure. This infrastructure is currently under construction and will be completed in 2026, well ahead of demand by offshore wind developers.
Separately, an Advisory Agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) has been signed by the Department. The EIB is undertaking an analysis on demand, capacity, and financing options relating to Irish ports’ ORE plans. Part of this analysis will include carrying out case studies of a number of proposed ORE ports projects.
The ongoing review of the National Ports Policy will consider ways to support the development of this essential port infrastructure, including infrastructure necessary for the deployment of offshore wind, in line with the Government’s climate and energy goals.
A Memorandum for Government on a draft revision of the National Ports Policy 2013 will be presented to Cabinet in Q1 2026. Once approved, my Department will carry out a public consultation on the draft policy, together with the related environmental reports, in the first half of 2026. The finalised draft will then be returned to Cabinet for approval, with publication to follow thereafter.
349. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current status of port infrastructure development required to support offshore renewable energy, including offshore wind marshalling capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9580/26]
View answer356. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current heavy lift capacity, quay length and laydown space available across Irish ports for offshore renewable energy construction; the way in which this compares with projected offshore wind deployment requirements to 2030, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/26]
View answer358. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the number of offshore wind projects that have identified Irish ports as construction or marshalling locations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9735/26]
View answer359. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether the absence of fully operational offshore wind marshalling ports has resulted in project delays, increased costs or loss of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9736/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 349, 356, 358 and 359 together.
My Department is committed to facilitating the development of port facilities to enable offshore renewable energy (ORE) development from Irish ports. Developers have currently sought permission for 3.8GW of ORE capacity in the planning system. The Irish ports are in prime position to enable the construction of these Offshore Wind Farms once demand for the use of port facilities materialises for the Marshalling and Assembly phase of construction. The ports will also be ready to service the projects from an Operations and Maintenance perspective.
The matter of offshore wind farm projects, including their development, delivery, and the provision of updates on their project status, falls under the responsibility of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE). However, my Department, which sits on the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, is aware that many of the Phase One development proposals expect to require port infrastructure for deployment of offshore wind farms in 2029 or later.
My Department has actively encouraged the its commercial state ports to consider the commercial opportunities associated with ORE, as is evident through policy my Department published in 2021 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.
Under the National Ports Policy, commercial state ports operate on an independent commercial basis. It is the responsibility of the port companies to engage with offshore wind developers and determine themselves how they will service and support the offshore wind industry. To this end, the commercial state ports have engaged with offshore wind developers and have made significant progress developing solutions and facilities that will support Irish ORE projects.
In this regard, the Port of Cork Company is progressing with the construction of its CORE 1- Offshore Wind Marshalling and Assembly Berth, at Ringaskiddy East. This development consists of a single berth with depth of 13m, quay length of 200m, laydown/quayside area and a new storage yard. The berth represents Phase One of a multi-phase development planned by the company at Ringaskiddy. Having received renewed planning permission in December 2025, the Port of Cork Company is exploring plans to progress the construction of the second berth.
The Ringaskiddy development will be the first port in Ireland with a facility for ORE deployment and will allow the port to facilitate Marshalling and Assembly in time for the phase 1 ORE projects in Irish waters. The facility will also be well placed to service the future development projects which will come from the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP).
In 2025, the Port of Waterford Company and Rosslare Europort (operated by Iarnród Éireann) both received Maritime Area Consents (MACs) for their planned port development projects and both have taken the critical step of submitting planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála. Each of these are also well placed to support Phase One projects as well as the future South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) projects.
Rosslare Europort specifically has plans to develop:
• Two ORE purpose-built quays and berth of at least 200m length each
• A 20 hectares (200,000m2) reclamation area for ORE quayside storage and preconstruction
• Capital dredging will be conducted on the fairway approaches to Rosslare Europort, increasing the depth to 10m.
Shannon Foynes Port Company has submitted a MAC application for a 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.
Certain local authority-owned ports also envisage a role in the ORE industry in Ireland. In this regard, the Department is aware of plans by:
• The Port of Galway.
• Drogheda Port Company.
The Department is also aware that the following facilities, some privately owned, are also planning port projects to enable ORE development:
• ESB Moneypoint in the Shannon Estuary,
• Greenore Port based in County Louth,
• Cork Dockyard in Cork Harbour,
• Leahill Port in Bantry Bay,
• Bremore Port project.
350. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver numbers that have been added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database in 2024 and in 2025; the number of driver numbers that have been added each year of named drivers insured on a motor insurance policy. [9585/26]
View answer351. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of learner permit holders' driver numbers that have been added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database in 2024 and in 2025. [9586/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together.
As Minister of State with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) are the owners of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) and Department of Transport do not have access to the detail of the requested information. However, MIBI produce an annual report on the operation of IMID, which I understand will be published shortly for end 2025.
352. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to consider a route extension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9653/26]
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. As Minister for Transport I continue to engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to maintaining high operational standards on all forms of public transport.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
353. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport to clarify if his Department recognises an organisation (details supplied) as representing coast guard members who are now members of that union; if the Department will enter into formal negotiations with the organisation in respect of those volunteers; and if not, to set out the specific legal or policy basis relied upon in refusing to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/26]
View answerIrish Coast Guard Volunteers play a vital and invaluable role in the Irish Coast Guard’s national response capacity. More than 900 volunteers serving across 44 units are trained and equipped to respond to those in need or distress. The recognised advocacy body for these volunteers is the Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) which is composed of serving Coast Guard Volunteers elected by their peers to represent their interests. CUAG is the sole organisation formally recognised by the Irish Coast Guard as representing Coast Guard Volunteers. The Irish Coast Guard has not been contacted by any other organisation.
The Irish Coast Guard remains in active and constructive dialogue with CUAG regarding a range of matters, with a shared commitment to improving the volunteering environment and the services delivered to the public.
354. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport whether new legislation to regulate e-scooters will restrict their use on public footpaths, greenways, and in public parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9677/26]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Government introduced regulations in 2024 for the safe use of e-scooters in public places. E-scooters may only be used on public roads if they comply with the 2024 Regulations, they may not be used on footpaths and the rules of the road apply to e-scooters in the same way as bicycles.
Under the 2024 Regulations, it is an offence to use e-scooters on footpaths. This is an important road safety measure, enforcement of which is a matter for An Garda Siochana. In relation to parks and green ways, e-scooters have the same access to such areas as bicycles, subject to local bye-laws or other restrictions.
In addition to the Regulations, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched an educational campaign to inform the public of the new e-scooter regulations and of safe e-scooter use on Irish roads: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/e-scooters.
Officials also engage with An Garda Siochana on an ongoing basis with respect to enforcement of e-scooter regulations. My officials have asked them to provide any suggestions or changes to legislation that would assist them in the fulfilment of their enforcement role.
I intend to bring further proposals to Government shortly to introduce additional regulations to improve road safety with regard to e-scooters and other road users.
355. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9688/26]
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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. 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.
