Legislative Programme

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Questions (285)

Pa Daly

Question:

285. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on all Bills under his remit that were mentioned in the 2026 Spring Legislative Programme. [14034/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

An update on the Spring Legislative Programme is provided below in tabular form.

Priority Legislation for Publication Spring Session 2026

Title of Bill	Purpose of Bill	Update on current status of Bill	Estimated date for Cabinet approval
Railway Safety Bill	Bill to provide for amendment of the Railway Safety Act 2005 to amend the statutory limits for concentration of alcohol in blood, urine and breath for a railway safety critical worker under Part 10 and to update the scope for sampling and testing in the workplace for intoxicants (alcohol, drugs) under Part 9 and associated procedures under the Act, to update provisions in the Act including technical amendments for terminology and definitions and some amendments relating to functions of the Commission for Railway Regulation. In addition, as flagged in the General Scheme, the Railway Safety Bill proposes to introduce primary legislative provisions for the operation of the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) and to introduce a power for the making of regulations to enable the RAIU to carry out investigations in relation to light railways, heritage railways, etc to replace the arrangements that are operated under primary legislation that was enacted in 2020 for these categories of railways. The national transposition regulations made in 2020 for the RAIU role under EU Railway Safety Directive legislation only apply to heavy rail (e.g. railway operator, Irish Rail, and its network)	Drafting of the Bill is ongoing and D/Transport is engaged with OPC in the drafting process. On 29 Sept 2025 Cabinet approved drafting of additional matters for inclusion and the amendment of the title to a Railway Safety Bill. Drafting is ongoing in February 2026	March 2026
National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2025	This Bill now incorporates the separate Roads Bill 2024 from the Autumn legislative session and contains five main elements: - Strengthening of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) for access to vehicle and driver data; - abolition of the requirement to display a motor tax disc; - removal of end date of declarations of non-use of a motor vehicle; - amendment of provisions relating to variation of speed limits, and; providing a legislative basis so that local authorities, in their role as road authorities, may request, receive, and process road collision data.	Approved by Government on 13 April 2025. With OPC for drafting. Waiver of PLS agreed by JOC.	February 2026
Dublin Transport Authority (Amendment) Bill	This Bill is an amendment to section 44 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 to enable the National Transport Authority to provide public transport infrastructure in the regional cities, as it can currently in the Greater Dublin Area	On 17 September 2025, Government approved the priority drafting of the Dublin Transport Authority Amendment Bill 2025, amending section 44 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (the DTA Act). In person briefing of the JOC took place on 22/10/2025, the committee have agreed not to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny. Drafting of the General Scheme is ongoing with the aim of having the Bill ready for publication within a very tight time-frame.	Memorandum approved 19 September 2025
Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2025 (was the Aviation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill)	The Bill is to address planning constraints impacting continued growth in air connectivity	General Scheme approved by Cabinet on 10 February. Cabinet also agreed to publish the General Scheme, proceed to formal drafting and undertake pre-legislative scrutiny.	Cabinet approval for General Scheme received on 10 February.

Other Legislation

Title of Bill	Purpose of Bill	Update on status of Bill
Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill	To provide a legislative basis to enable the implementation of certain International Maritime Conventions at national level; to provide for the updating of existing legislation in respect of some other international maritime conventions that are already in force in the State; and to make provision for some additional miscellaneous maritime safety amendments. The Conventions in the Bill concern safety standards, training and working conditions for fishing vessels and personnel (fishers), ship recycling and the removal of maritime wreck.	Drafting of the General Scheme is ongoing. Heads of Bill expected in Q1 2026. No timeline for PLS.
Air Navigation and Transport (International Aviation Agreements) Bill	To provide for the offences contained within three international aviation treaties in Irish legislation – The Beijing Convention 2010, the Montreal Protocol 2014 and the Beijing Protocol 2010 - in advance of ratification.	The General Scheme is in preparation, and subject to resolution of legal issues, is expected to be ready in Q2 2026. No timeline for PLS.
Taxi Regulation (Amendment) Bill	To provide for amendments to the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 –2016.	General Scheme in preparation. Heads expected in Q1 2026. No timeline for PLS. Work is ongoing.
Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill	To repeal the Dublin Carriage Acts 1853-55 and relieve An Garda Síochána of responsibility for the regulation and licensing of horse-drawn carriages in Dublin; and assert the power of local authorities, including Dublin City Council, to regulate horse-drawn carriages within their respective functional areas.	Cabinet approved the preparation of a General Draft Scheme of a Bill on 6 December 2019. Heads of Bill not expected until 2026. No timeline for PLS Work is ongoing
LPSV (Large Public Service Vehicles) Reform Bill	To ensure an effective licensing and regulatory framework for the LPSV sector.	Work is ongoing. Heads of Bill not expected until 2026. No timeline for PLS.
Road Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill	To amend and update the existing RSA legislation. The Department is developing proposals for reform of the RSA which will be informed by the findings of the 2024 Indecon review of the RSA.	General Scheme and Heads of Bill are currently on hold whilst the Department develops proposals. PLS has not yet commenced.
Transport (Railway Infrastructure) (Amendment) Bill	To amend the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 to update the procedures for the Railway Order process in line with the recent changes to planning legislation. Some related amendments to the Roads Act 1993 will also be provided for.	Work is ongoing. Heads of Bill expected by end Q1 2026.
Road Traffic Bill	To support Programme for Government commitments in relation to a graduated penalty points system and further expansion of cameras to encourage safety driving. The Bill will also address a number of anomalies and issues that have been identified in road traffic legislation.	Work is at an advanced stage on the preparation of the General Scheme and the Department intends to bring the General Scheme to Cabinet for approval in the coming months.
MetroLink Bill	To establish MetroLink as a Statutory Body for delivery of metro infrastructure.	General Scheme is under development and expected to go to Government by the end of Q1 2026. A waiver for PLS will be sought.