Written Answers Nos. 24-44
27. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the details of the settlement in a dispute between an individual and their former employer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10642/26]
View answer38. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the information his Department was provided during the process of forming a settlement deal for the outgoing CEO of the State-owned Dublin Airport Authority, which he is the sole official shareholder of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10879/26]
View answer39. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport given his role as the sole official shareholder of the State-owned Dublin Airport Authority, to confirm the amount of the exit payment to the outgoing CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority as part of the DAA’s recent settlement deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/26]
View answer40. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport given his role as the sole official shareholder of the State-owned Dublin Airport Authority, whether he had to approve or sanction the exit payment to the outgoing CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority as part of the DAA’s recent settlement deal; if not, the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10881/26]
View answer41. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport given his role as the sole official shareholder of the State-owned Dublin Airport Authority, whether he will publish the terms and details of the recent settlement deal with the outgoing CEO; if not, the rationale for not providing this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/26]
View answer42. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport given his role as the sole official shareholder of the State-owned Dublin Airport Authority, whether the Department of Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation, Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (details supplied) applies to the recent settlement deal with the outgoing DAA CEO; if not, the rationale for not providing this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10883/26]
View answer52. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the resignation of the chief executive of Dublin Airport Authority; the cost of any settlement/severance package as applicable to the semi-State corporate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10909/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 52 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy, that while daa is State-owned, it operates on a wholly commercial basis. As such it is expected to fulfil its commercial mandate without recourse to any Exchequer funding. Indeed, it paid a dividend of €68m to the exchequer in respect of the 2024 financial year on the basis of profit after tax of €229m on record revenues in excess of €1.1bn that year.
daa confirmed on 5th February that the board and the former CEO had resolved their dispute on terms that are mutually agreeable. Following this agreement, the CEO voluntarily stepped down from his position on that date. The terms of the legal settlement agreed between the former CEO and daa are a matter for both parties, and I had no role in this matter.
In relation to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, I can confirm that daa is aware of the provisions that pertain to legal settlements and the reporting obligations in relation to same in their annual financial statements.
The appointment of a new CEO is a matter for the Board of daa to progress. It is important now that daa continues to focus its full attention on its core responsibilities, in particular the effective operation, management and future development of Dublin and Cork airports, which are essential to economic activity and growth in their respective regions and nationally.
29. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 249 and 250 of 4 February 2026, the exact date on which he intends to bring the heads of the Bill addressing the Dublin Airport passenger cap to Government for approval; the Cabinet meeting at which approval of the general scheme is expected to be sought; the month and year in which publication of the Bill is expected; the earliest date on which the legislation is expected to be enacted, based on the current drafting and legislative timetable; and if the proposed legislation will expressly override or disapply the existing passenger cap planning condition and set out the statutory position regarding the consideration of that condition by the Irish Aviation Authority in future slot allocation decisions. [10683/26]
View answerOn 10 February I secured agreement from Cabinet for the legislative approach to address the Dublin Airport passenger cap as set out in the General Scheme for the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 and to proceed to formal drafting of the Bill.
The legislation has been placed on the priority list for drafting, and I am committed to introducing the legislation swiftly and progressing it through to enactment as early as possible in 2026.
Under the General Scheme, I, as the Minister for Transport will be empowered to revoke or amend the 32m passenger cap planning condition. Before making an Order, I will engage with An Coimisiún Pleanála who will carry out any relevant environmental assessments required under EU law.
A copy of the General Scheme for the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 which sets out details of the legislative approach is available on my Department's website.
30. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Transport the actions his Department is taking to prevent illegal sulky racing; and if his attention has been drawn to a recent sulky race in north Dublin which resulted in the death of a horse. [10687/26]
View answerUnder section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser.
In the meantime, participants in such races are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races. As the Deputy will know, in many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts.
Enforcing the Roads Act in matters where a road race takes place unlawfully without the permission of the roads authority is a matter of enforcement for An Garda Síochána. In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for Gardaí to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.
Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
31. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA have plans to move the H1 bus terminal to Hawkins Street, Dublin 2. [10803/26]
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. The NTA also has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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.
33. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the immediate measures being taken to address the ongoing reliability issues on Dublin Bus Route 15, particularly on the Clongriffin–city centre section during morning peak; if he will provide a clear timeframe for improvements ahead of the BusConnects Clongriffin to city centre scheme expected to go to procurement in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10807/26]
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. Further, The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the BusConnects Dublin.
The queries raised by the Deputy are matters for Dublin Bus and the NTA. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
34. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the difficulties faced by 18–20-year-old licence holders, including fully qualified rigid truck drivers and apprentices, in obtaining insurance cover for commercial or recovery vehicles despite holding all required driving qualifications and certificates; if he will engage with the insurance industry to remove age-based barriers that prevent young people from entering trades and transport-related apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/26]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that insurance companies are private commercial entities.
The provision of motor insurance, including the assessment of risk and the setting of premiums or eligibility criteria, is a commercial matter for insurance providers, and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis. Neither I nor my Department has the power to direct insurance companies on the provision of insurance products.
35. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department received any communication from the US government, or was aware of flights (details supplied) deporting Palestinians from the US to the West Bank which refuelled at Shannon Airport in January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/26]
View answerThe Convention on International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944, and its associated annexes, established the framework for the operation of international civil aviation. Both Ireland and the United States are contracting parties to this Convention.
Article 5 of this Convention provides for the right of air operators of contracting parties to operate non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes (e.g., refuelling) in the territory of the other contracting parties.
This provision is provided for in Irish law in Article 3 of the Air Services Authorisation Order 1993.
Stops at Irish airports, by private and commercial charters, which are technical stops for non-traffic purposes (i.e. not picking up or setting down passengers), do not require prior authorisation from my Department.
My Department had no prior knowledge of the operation of the reported flight.
36. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of separate bids there were for the contract for contactless payments; the dates on which these bids were received in, tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10875/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide a transformative upgrade to the ticketing system for public transport passengers in Ireland. The project will facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, involving a next-generation 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating both mobile and card-based payments for passengers.
Following a competitive procurement process, the NTA awarded, in April 2024, an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system to Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to roll out contactless fare payments on all public transport.
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 within 10 working days.
37. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for contactless payments outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10876/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide a transformative upgrade to the ticketing system for public transport passengers in Ireland. The project will facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, involving a next-generation 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating both mobile and card-based payments for passengers.
Following a competitive procurement process, the NTA awarded, in April 2024, an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system to Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
A huge effort is being put in by NTA to ensure that this transformational and beneficial project for public transport passengers is delivered as effectively as possible.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to roll out contactless fare payments on all public transport.
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 within 10 working days.
43. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the developments undertaken in his Department to progress the implementation of a needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; his engagement with the Department of Finance in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10884/26]
View answer58. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport to outline developments undertaken in his Department to progress the implementation of a needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; how he is engaging with the Department of Finance in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10954/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 58 together.
I wish to confirm that the Department of Transport has been tasked with developing a new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS). The intention is that the new scheme will be open to drivers and passengers who have a need for vehicle adaptations to enable them to enter, exit or operate a vehicle.
Department of Transport officials are currently consulting with key stakeholders to finalise the principles and parameters of the new scheme.
The VAS is not intended to replace the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme, responsibility for which remains with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
44. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to replace the low level bridge at Mountain Stage, Glenbeigh, on the N70 Ring of Kerry road, as a matter of urgency, this will keep heavy vehicles off a section of the South Kerry Greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10895/26]
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 €9,950,000 allocated in 2026 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.
