Pa Daly
Question:126. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to make our transport infrastructure resilient to extreme weather events. [15486/26]
View answerThursday, 26 February 2026
Questions (126)
Written answers
In Ireland, climate change impacts that are currently being experienced, and that are expected to increase in coming decades include severe weather events, such as winter storms and flooding and summer drought, together with associated increased flooding and sea level rise.
Given the vital role played by transport as a derived demand that supports all other economic and social functions, building resilience to these impacts across Ireland’s transport infrastructure networks and services now and into the future is an increasingly critical part of national climate action.
Implementation of climate change adaptation actions for Transport is undertaken through the statutory Transport Sectoral Adaptation Plan, which is mandated by the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021.
Transport Sectoral Adaptation Plan II (T-SAP II)
In recent years, Ireland has experienced record-breaking storms, floods and other extreme weather events which have damaged infrastructure, disrupted services and created new safety risks.
The Department of Transport, working with key stakeholders, has developed the second Transport Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation plan that aims to build long-term resilience of the transport sector to climate change and support adaptation efforts.
This Plan brings together climate science, risk assessments, and expert insights to guide adaptation action across the transport sector. It builds on lessons learned since 2019, when Ireland's first Transport SAP (T-SAP I) was published, reflects Ireland’s current and future infrastructure needs and climate priorities and is a more ambitious plan than its predecessor.
The plan proposes 40 priority actions to:
• Reduce disruption caused by climate change and extreme weather events,
• Safeguard transport infrastructure, and
• Keep Ireland’s transport system moving safely and efficiently.
From local footpaths and cycleways to ports, airports, rail lines, roads, and public transport, our transport system underpins daily life. Making transport more climate-resilient is essential for public safety, continuity of service, and long-term sustainability.
T-SAP II contains comprehensive risk assessment for climate impacts extending to all transport modes, with corresponding adaptation actions over the five-years of the Plan toward building longer-term resilience of transport infrastructure and services against climate change impacts. ?
An overarching objective of the Plan is to enable transport agencies and operators to act on organisational adaptation priorities and embed climate resilience into their asset management process.
T-SAP II Actions relating to Extreme Weather Events
Among the actions in the Plan, which were co-developed with transport stakeholders, the following relate directly to readiness and recovery from extreme weather events:
• Streamline the request for financial resources to TII and Local Authorities in the aftermath of extreme weather events. A new framework would address the need for a clear process for requesting both financial and technical support, as there is currently no dedicated funding for emergency works caused by severe weather events, and Local Authorities are often forced to use maintenance grants, risking delays in recovery. (Action R4)
• The development of sectoral response guidelines for road infrastructure to ensure a coordinated and united response during severe climate events. The action is to establish a framework for mutual assistance across county boundaries, facilitating the rapid reopening of critical road networks during and after extreme weather events, with defined roles, responsibilities, and mobilisation requirements of each responding organisations during extreme weather events (especially red alerts). Within this workstream the Department is participating in the CARO-led Climate Change & Emergency Management - Severe Weather Response training development working group. (Action R5)
• Several actions relating to public transport, airport and port transport operations also focus on coordinated planning for extreme weather events arising from acute climate change impacts.
Adaptation and resilience are an important component of existing major transport networks and new investment, including rail, maritime, active travel and electrification of networks.
East Coast Rail Infrastructure Protection Projects
The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) are a suite of five projects being delivered by Iarnród Éireann to provide improved coastal protection to the existing railway between Dublin and Wicklow.
These projects will protect against the hazards of coastal erosion and wave overtopping and will support the provision of existing services (DART, Commuter, Intercity) as well as the intended rail expansion in this area to be provided under DART+ Coastal South, the DART Extension to Wicklow.
The types of interventions being proposed include concrete wave walls, concrete footpaths and amenity areas and rock armour.
To date the projects have completed feasibility studies, option selection works and preliminary designs. Currently the projects are preparing planning permission to An Coimisiún Pleanála for submission in Autumn 2026. Subject to securing approvals it is expected that works will commence on site in 2029.
Actions by State-owned commercial port companies
All State-owned commercial port companies, namely Dublin Port Company, Port of Cork Company, Shannon Foynes Port Company and Port of Waterford Company are tasked with ensuring that they plan for and develop the infrastructure necessary to provide for the essential trade needs of the State and to contribute to Ireland’s energy security, for example by supporting the needs of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector.
Increasingly, the ports are considering the impacts of weather events and climate impacts generally on their current infrastructure and in consideration of their masterplans for future developments. Given that ports are particularly susceptible to certain weather disruptions, our ports routinely maintain, update and exercise port contingency plans along with other relevant stakeholders. The ports are also taking the necessary steps to safeguard infrastructure in the normal course of maintenance of port facilities such as carrying out dredging to ensure navigational channels remain operational.
For example, Dublin Port Company have identified that the South Great Wall is in need of some urgent repairs and also more long-term interventions to safeguard this essential and historic piece of maritime infrastructure. Dublin Port has begun a €2.5million programme of essential remedial works to repair the Great South Wall rock armour which was damaged in December’s Storm Bram.
The ports have actively contributed to the recently published Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Transport (T-SAP) and will co-ordinate their future actions under this plan with the assistance of NewERA , to whom, they regularly report on climate and sustainability matters and with my Department through a dedicated climate adaptation forum for ports which will be convened in the first half of 2026.
Active Travel and Greenways
The National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities have ultimate responsibility for the design and construction of Active Travel and Greenway infrastructure projects. Climate adaptation is considered in this context, however making infrastructure safe and user-friendly is priority.
Climate resilience is considered at project concept and design stages. If the scheme presents a climate risk i.e. significant risk of flooding, it is unlikely to proceed unless cost effective mitigation measures can be established.
Zero Emission Vehicles Infrastructure
Universal Design Guidelines have been published by ZEVI for EV Charging Infrastructure - These reference the ADA Accessibility Standards which recommend installing weather protection, security and adequate lighting at parking spaces where EV charging may occur.
Adequate weather protection around the charging station and along access routes to nearby amenities or facilities would enhance user comfort. In terms of appropriate design, weather protection should cover the charging station up to the vehicle’s inlet, to ensure that adverse weather conditions have minimal impact on the user experience.
The guidelines also note that the charging station screen should be suitably positioned to ensure readability from both a seated or fully upright position, even under adverse weather conditions.
Emergency Planning
The Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) are the Lead Government Department for responding to extreme weather events. The Department of Transport, through its dedicated emergency planning function, plays a critical support role when these events occur, coordinating information on response and impacts, including at National Emergency Coordination Group level.
All Transport operators and agencies have winter contingency weather plans in place, which are reviewed and updated each year, adjusting as required from the previous years’ experience. These plans are designed to ensure the safety of the travelling public and minimise disruption to public transport and supply chains.
The Department of Transport and its agencies also benefit from close liaison with DHLGH and Met Eireann to ensure information is shared in a timely and efficient way.
The Department's overall strategy accompanied by specific projects being delivered by the Department's agencies will ensure that adaptation and resilience to major weather events which impact transport will continue to improve in the coming years.