Written Answers Nos. 259-280
259. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment criteria for the Irish Defence Forces; the recruitment per year from 2020 to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16336/26]
View answerThe entry criteria for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended.
These entry criteria may vary depending on the type of competition being conducted, however, the common criteria include the following: a candidate shall at the time of application be either a citizen of the State, or be any other person who has a lawful entitlement to reside and work within the State for the period of time that is required for the purpose of any appointment; be of good character; satisfy any security clearance required, and meet the required minimum standards of medical and physical fitness.
These criteria are subject to review and change. Candidates must be 18 years of age or above. In 2024, the maximum recruitment age was increased to 39 years of age for General Service Recruits, Cadets, and certain specialists. In addition, the maximum recruitment age for Direct Entry Officer specialists was increased to 50.
In addition, the minimum educational or professional qualifications vary depending on the competition.
Recruitment to the Defence Forces remains ongoing through a diverse range of competitions for General Service and for specialised Direct Entry positions while the 2026 Cadetship competition is open for applications. Additional bespoke and once off competitions operate from time to time.
It is very positive to see that interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to grow, with a total of 16,510 applications received in 2025. It demonstrates that the key enabling measures which the Government has introduced to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment are yielding results.
The challenge now for the Defence Forces is to convert these applications into inductions.
I want to build on the progress achieved in 2025 and have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026. Last year saw the achievement of 790 inductions to the Permanent Defence Force. Figures provided by the Defence Forces in the table below detail the induction figures for the PDF from 2020 to 2026, as requested by the Deputy:
|
Year |
Number Inducted |
|
2020 |
538 |
|
2021 |
576 |
|
2022 |
435 |
|
2023 |
415 |
|
2024 |
708 |
|
2025 |
790 |
|
2026* |
158 |
* As at 24 February 2026
The allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector, and the policy initiatives and changes to eligibility criteria already implemented, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.
260. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence the capital and current funding required for the capacity of the Joint Induction Training Centre at Gormanston Barracks to be able to handle 1,250 new recruits when fully operational. [16344/26]
View answerThe Joint Induction Training Centre (JITC) at Gormanston Barracks, primary is to accommodate the induction training of all future recruits into the Defence Forces. As Minister for Defence, I will build on the progress achieved in 2025 and have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026 across all Defence Forces services. The Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston Camp will facilitate the induction of up to 900 recruits per annum, when fully operational. There has been significant capital investment allocated to the JITC to provide for the modern, fit-for-purpose facilities required to carry out this function. The current ongoing capital projects in Gormanston come to a total value of over €15m and are listed below:
* New Gym/obstacle course; under construction with a 2026 completion
* New Dining Hall; under construction with a 2026 completion
* New Locker Block; under construction with a 2026 completion
In addition, the following projects have been completed to a value of €1.54m, see below:
* New NDA Range
* Upgrade of Blocks A and B
* Provision of a new running track
In addition, a new Accommodation Block, with a capacity for an additional 100 beds, is at the early stages of procurement design and planning.
261. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by her Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical location including county, district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16547/26]
View answerThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence Vote Group in 2026 is €1.49 billion, comprising of €1.173 billion on Vote 36 (Defence) and €317 million on Vote 35 (Army Pensions). For 2025, the corresponding total for the Defence Vote Group was €1.35 billion, comprising of €1.020 billion on Vote 36 (Defence) and €330 million on Vote 35 (Army Pensions).
Expenditure on Vote 35 – Army Pensions, is demand-led and non-discretionary and, in 2026, provides for the payment of statutory pension entitlements to 13,500 former members of the Defence Forces and their dependants.
Expenditure on Vote 36 – Defence in 2026, provides for, inter alia, the pay and allowances of up to 9,140 public service employees, ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and essential capital investment in equipment and infrastructure.
Defence Vote spending is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
Accordingly, funding is not allocated from the Defence Vote on a geographical basis, apart from specific funding provided to individual local authorities in support of Civil Defence activities. In respect of Civil Defence activities, grant allocations are provided to cover the operational costs of 28 Civil Defence Units across the country, and to grant aid fleet replacement and training. These allocations are not published centrally but are acknowledged in the annual published accounts of each Local Authority.
In addition, ongoing capital investment in Defence Forces built infrastructure, benefits military installations located throughout the country - details of ongoing capital infrastructure projects are outlined in the Defence Forces Capital Infrastructure Development Plan, which is available on gov.ie, the official Government of Ireland website. These infrastructural projects continue to deliver significant enhancements to the physical working environment of all Defence Forces personnel.
262. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence to provide the web link to her Department’s Q4 2025 published report of purchase orders/payments over €20,000, in line with the FOI model publication scheme requirements; the date on which this report was published; and if it has not yet been published, the planned publication date. [16565/26]
View answer263. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence to confirm, in respect of her Department’s published quarterly reports of procurement-related payments or purchase orders over €20,000 (details supplied), where such reports are published in PDF format but originate from an Excel or similar spreadsheet file, that the underlying data was fully expanded and validated prior to conversion so that all columns including supplier names and descriptions are fully visible and readable in the published document; to clarify whether any quality assurance process is applied to ensure that data is not truncated or partially obscured in the PDF version; and where the source file exists in machine-readable format, whether her Department will make the original Excel or CSV file available alongside the PDF in the interest of transparency, accessibility and data re-use. [16582/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.
My Department routinely publishes details of Purchase Orders for goods and services valued at more than €20,000, on foot of a previous Programme for Government commitment and in accordance with the FOI Model Publication Scheme & Guidance published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
This Scheme requires the Department to publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis, and financial information, procurement information and the FOI Disclosure Log is published on the Department's website in this regard.
Purchase Order reports up to and including Quarter 3 2025 are published on the Department of Defence website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/b61276-purchase-orders-over-20000/ . The reports are published in machine readable PDF format in compliance with EU Directive 2019/1024 on open data and the reuse of public-sector information, as transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 376/2021.
I can confirm that the supplier names and expenditure categories are not truncated and are fully visible and readable in the published reports. I am advised that a small number of Purchase Orders are excluded from the published list for security and operational reasons. I am further advised that the purchase order report for Quarter 4 2025 is being prepared and will be published shortly.
264. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the options available to a person (details supplied) in a pensions matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16637/26]
View answerUnder the terms of the Defence Forces’ Pensions Schemes, the minimum service for enlisted personnel who joined prior to 1 April 2004 to qualify for a pension is 21 years, or 12 years if discharged on medical grounds.
Service in an Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCA), even if full-time, is not reckonable for pension purposes.
Unfortunately, as the person in question did not have the necessary service, I regret that he was not eligible for a pension under the Schemes.
The Defence Forces pre-2004 pension scheme is a fast accrual scheme offering accelerated pension benefits and the possibility of earlier retirement than standard accrual schemes. This was in recognition of the fact that Defence Forces members often had shorter career paths and earlier mandatory retirement ages. The fast accrual allows members to build up their pensions more quickly to compensate for their generally shorter service periods. The Defence Forces scheme was designed taking the specific and unique requirements of the Defence Forces into account, and to maintain an effective and agile force with the appropriate age profile.
In 2000, the Commission on Public Service Pensions examined DF pension terms and recommended a new scheme be designed for new entrants that was more in line with standard public service schemes but that, having regard to the advantageous nature of the existing Defence Forces pension schemes, no fundamental modifications to the pension terms of serving personnel should be made. The Government accepted the Commission’s recommendations.
Changes to military pension scheme terms and conditions cannot be made by my Department in isolation and would be subject to consultation with, and the approval of, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The staff of the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services (PSS) offer signposting and advice to veterans. This usually takes the form of guiding veterans to the appropriate resources and services within the community, however other support is provided to veterans on a case-by-case basis. There is a PSS officer located in each barracks and if he wishes the person in question can make contact with his nearest Barracks.
The PSS interacts with the recognised Veterans’ Associations such as the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) to support personnel after they leave the Defence Forces, and has a relationship with the staff of the Veterans Support Centres, which are located in various locations throughout the DF and are manned by ONE staff. The PSS can also facilitate applications for support from the Defence Forces Benevolent Fund.
ONE operates a network of Veterans Support Centres around the country which provide advice and support to retired members of the Defence Forces. ONE can be contacted by email at info@oneconnect.ie, or more information and contact details are available on their website www.one-veterans.org.
The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) also operate drop-in centres where veterans can seek advice and support. IUNVA can be contacted by email at iunvahqd7@gmail.com, and more information and contact details are available on their website www.iunva.ie.
265. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the protocols in place at her Department headquarters in Newbridge, County Kildare to facilitate communication with those wishing to engage by phone with Department staff; the reason callers are put on hold and left on hold for excessive periods of time, and calls that need to be transferred are once again delayed or not completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16673/26]
View answerI am sorry if the Deputy has had a less than satisfactory experience in terms of contacting the Department.
The Department of Defence reception has two phone lines available to answer and redirect calls. The process is outlined as follows:
1. A Caller phones the Department's reception number in Newbridge.
2. The Service Officer (SVO) answers the call, asking caller how may the call be redirected.
Note, if both lines are currently in use by Service Officers, the call will continue to ring until such time as one of the lines becomes available. The caller is not redirected to an answering service.
3. Caller will provide a staff's name to the SVO.
4. The SVO looks up the Department's official on an internal data base, and re-directs the call to the staff's desk number. While being redirected the call is on a temporary hold while the SVO dials and redirects to the staff's number.
5. Once redirected, and the staff's internal phone rings, the reception line no longer retains the call.
6. If a staff member is unavailable, the caller may be able to leave a message for the staff member to playback and respond to.
7. The call is automatically ended once a message has been left, and the caller hangs up.
The reception number is operated between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday daily. A pre-recorded answering service is provided for out of hours, outside of these times. All callers are advised of normal hours of availability and to ring back during these times.
266. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence her plans to permit Royal Navy vessels to patrol Irish waters during Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as reported recently (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16871/26]
View answerIn the context of the forthcoming EU Presidency, security rests primarily with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and An Garda Síochána. I am advised that the Defence Forces are in ongoing discussions with An Garda Síochána, on a range of security matters particularly in an Aid to the Civil Power capacity as part of the formers preparation for the Presidency. I trust the Deputy will appreciate it is not appropriate to comment further on operational or security details at this juncture.
267. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if her Department has received a Naval Service regeneration plan, if she can provide details of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17134/26]
View answerI reassure the Deputy that the regeneration of the Naval Service is one of my key priorities as Minister for Defence. So too is it a priority for the Defence Forces. This reflects the commitment made in the Programme for Government, and is reinforced in the actions required under the Strategic Framework 2026, which I published on 10 February 2026.
To that end, I have had detailed discussions with the Chief of Staff on the need to have a Regeneration Report submitted on the Naval Service. The Defence Forces, in conjunction with senior officials from my Department, are now working to have the report, and an action plan against which progress will be measured, completed in the coming weeks .
Regeneration of the Naval Service will also be informed and influenced by other relevant plans from across my Department including the new National Maritime Security Strategy, which I published this week.
268. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if the Naval Service has submitted a fully worked up business case setting out full infrastructure requirements for both marine and support related elements for an east coast base for the Naval service, to detail the infrastructure requirement included in the business case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17135/26]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that the Department is at an advanced stage of concluding the licensing arrangements with the County Council in relation to the use of Carlisle Pier for the purposes of berthing the two Inshore Patrol Vessels, as their primary function will be to patrol the East Coast.
In relation to the location of any future permanent forward operating base on the East Coast, this has not yet been determined and any consideration by Government of same will be dependent on the recommendations falling from the awaited Naval Service Regeneration Report.
269. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence to detail the potential Defence Forces overtime, associated costs and security planning for the upcoming Presidency of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17219/26]
View answerIn the context of the forthcoming EU Presidency, security rests primarily with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and An Garda Síochána.
I am advised that the Defence Forces are in ongoing discussions with An Garda Síochána, on a range of security matters particularly in an Aid to the Civil Power capacity as part of the formers preparation for the Presidency. I trust the Deputy will appreciate in the circumstances that prospective costings are currently not available and as such it is not appropriate to comment further on operational or security details at this juncture.
With regard to overtime, unlike other areas of the public service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime or shift allowance payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces.
Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance.
Military Service Allowance (MSA) is paid up to and including the rank of Colonel. It is designed to compensate for the special conditions associated with military life including: unsocial hours of duty; exposure to danger, and the restrictions inherent in military discipline.
While there are a number of different factors considered in the payment of Military Service Allowance, with effect from 1st February 2026 the enlisted personnel allowance rate ranges from €166.98 to €177.76 per week and the Officer allowance rate ranges from €6501 - €7020 per annum.
270. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the response capacity of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Forces, to provide aid-to-civil-power responses during climate emergencies such as storms or floods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17220/26]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his Department are the lead Department for preparing and responding to severe weather events. The Office of Emergency Planning, in my Department, assists and provides support to the lead government departments during emergency events. As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I am advised that the lessons identified from the Review of Storm Éowyn and other severe weather events are being incorporated into future planning and resilience to minimise the impacts of climate related emergencies on our communities.
The Defence Forces are not the first responders in either the preparedness nor in the recovery phase of such events. Their role, when called upon, is to assist civilian authorities in dealing with the various challenges which can present. The Defence Forces continues to stand ready to assist in emergency scenarios as part of the whole-of-Government, whole-of-society response at both the national and local level. Based on their performance in recent events, I am satisfied that the Defence Forces are readily prepared to assist when called upon.
271. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence the public procurement processes to be used for the Defence Forces capital investment plans, particularly in acquiring military radar programme, helicopters, replacement of PC-9M fleet, RPAS/drone, armoured fleet replacement and so on; if there will be a defined European preference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17221/26]
View answerProcurement processes for defence acquisitions are governed by the High Level Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG), a monthly working group comprising of senior civil and military management of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The HLPPG provides a joint civil and military forum for oversight and approval of expenditure and also ensures that expenditure is profiled and monitored on an ongoing basis.
The Department’s Procurement and Acquisitions Branch manages overall procurement policy within Defence, reflecting the specialised nature of the equipment profile, and works on major projects in conjunction with the Capability Development Unit and various SME's within the Defence Forces.
Regarding longer term capability planning, in early 2023 a Capability Development Unit was established in the Department. It is civil/military in terms of staffing, with military staff from across the three services of the Defence Forces, providing an overarching joint perspective to capability planning. The Unit is now well established and in the final stages of producing a 12 year Capability Development Programme, that will identify, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces out to 2040. This ongoing piece of work, once complete, will inform the prioritisation of capabilities the Defence Forces will progress in moving towards the strategic level of ambition set out in the Defence Policy Review, and the objectives as set out in the recently published Strategic Framework and Update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces. I expect the Capability Development Programme will be finalised in the first half of this 2026.
Ongoing planning for the acquisition of military equipment is conducted through the utilisation of the Defence Equipment Development Plan, which is a rolling plan, considered through joint civil-military co-operation, and provides a consolidated, structured basis for ongoing investment in military equipment to develop and maintain necessary capabilities. This work is progressed under the guidance of the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was published in February 2026, the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) and the updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The rolling Equipment Development Plan encompasses a programme of sustained equipment procurement/acquisition across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Strategic Framework and the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, building on the work done under the White Paper on Defence. This is part of the ambitious programme of work to move to Level of Ambition 2 ( LOA2) by 2028, and will ensure that the Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment required to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
The Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces was developed with the purpose of bringing together into one overarching document the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation, ready to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. It builds on the work of the first Strategic Framework that was published in September 2023 and draws from various reports and plans in place including the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF). The updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces follows a similar format and style to the original Detailed Implementation Plan, published in 2023. It sets out the timelines for the delivery of the 130 CODF recommendations.
In assessing projects for inclusion in the Equipment Development Plan and as they progress through the approvals process, consideration is given to the full suite of procurement procedures and options available for Defence acquisitions, which are provided for in the various EU procurement Directives, including the Defence and Security Directive 2009/81/EC.
272. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that a standardised app will be available for usage at all EV charging points as at present the apps are applicable to individual companies only and not to all charging points causing great inconvenience for motorists particularly for persons travelling distances from their homes or place of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/26]
View answerIt is a commitment of the Programme for Government to launch a national EV recharging infrastructure data strategy to enable real time data to be made available on mobile devices on the location and availability of all EV charger locations across our road network.
New regulations under the European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) require Chargepoint Operators of publicly accessible EV charging stations to provide transparent and up to date data in relation to that charging point, on an Open Data basis. A number of third-party apps are currently available and providing this data to the public that are not limited to any one charging operator.
ZEVI, an office of the Department of Transport, is finalising a Data Strategy and implementation plan, that will ensure that data in relation to EV charge points is provided comprehensively and in a high quality format. This will further facilitate the provision of comprehensive and accurate information on EV charging infrastructure to the public. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly.
273. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the capacity for Ireland to host large, seized vessels in Irish ports; the potential associated costs and manpower required; whose responsibility is it to maintain security and jurisdiction over seized vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17218/26]
View answerIreland’s capacity to host large, seized vessels in Irish ports is limited and is best approached on a case-by-case basis.
The ongoing example of hosting a large, seized vessel in the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) has created logistical issues. The 190-metre-long MV Matthew, which was seized by the Revenue Commissioners in 2023, has had to be relocated regularly to different berths within the port to facilitate commercial shipping.
Generally, long-term vacant berths are not available in the State, particularly for larger vessels, and frequent movements may be required to allow trade to continue. These movements use the vessel’s own machinery where practical and require a ship’s crew to operate the machinery, keep the vessel securely moored, and prevent pollution.
A seized vessel must be appropriately crewed, although this may be at a reduced level, subject to agreement with the Harbour Master and following a risk assessment.
Costs depend on the port and the specific berth in use. They are charged to the vessel/management company or the seizing agency. Where no owner is identifiable, costs are borne by the State as the seizing authority. Costs typically incurred include pilotage, pilot boat services, tonnage rates and towage, in line with established schedules. Ports may also apply additional charges for berthing, security and other services.
Specific details for the State-owned commercial port companies under my remit are as follows:
Dublin Port Company (DPC) does not have spare capacity to host large, seized vessels. The impact of detaining a large vessel on a berth for a significant period would exceed the direct charged cost, as it would block a high-throughput berth in a port that facilitated 17,000 vessel movements in 2025. In addition, there are ship-length and draft limitations in DPC that restrict the accommodation of such vessels.
Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is currently accommodating the MV Matthew. Long-term vacant berths are generally unavailable for the reasons outlined above.
Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has limited capacity to host a large seized commercial vessel, and any request would need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Port of Waterford Company (PoWC), as a small inland port, has no capacity to host large seized vessels. Its small size is further constrained by restricted access, owing to a relatively narrow and shallow shipping channel.
274. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional bus stops in Waterford city approved, funded, and activated/delivered in each year 2023-2026, in tabular form; the cumulative number of bus stops approved, funded, and activated/delivered; the number which are funded but not activated; and the location of same. [16199/26]
View answer275. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the level of additional bus shelters sought for Waterford city which were approved, denied, funded, and activated/delivered in each year 2023-2026, in tabular form; the number funded but not activated; and the location of same. [16200/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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 within 10 days.
276. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if additional lighting will be provided at Athy train station, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16201/26]
View answer277. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport when the toilet facilities at Athy train station will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16202/26]
View answer278. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of an hourly train service for Athy train station along the Waterford to Heuston line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16203/26]
View answer279. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of an hourly train service for train stations in Carlow and Kilkenny along the Waterford to Heuston line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16204/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 277, 278 and 279 together.
As 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 Iarnród Éireann. 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.
280. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the publication of the review report on the M9/M7 merges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16205/26]
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 the publication of the review report on the M7/M9 junction.
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.
