Written Answers Nos. 296-300
296. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide figures of the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026; the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026 for each State Agency under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49664/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no cost overruns relative to the Budget 2026 allocations in my Department or in the bodies under its aegis.
297. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an itemised list of the number of applications made to him by line departments for approval of an increase in salary for chief executives in commercial State agencies, under the proposals agreed by Government in April 2025, following the senior posts remuneration committee report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49693/26]
View answer298. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide the list of cases in which he has approved increases proposed by line departments for chief executives in commercial State companies/agencies, under proposals agreed by Government in April 2025 following the senior posts remuneration committee report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49694/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
I propose to take PQ: 49693/26 and 49694/26 together.
Since 2011 there has been no systematic review of CEO remuneration, thus any increase in salary since that time has taken place on a case-by-case basis. In April 2024 the SPRC was requested to perform a review of the remuneration arrangements for the CEOs of CSBs. On foot of this review Government agreed in April 2025 to implement a more structured approach to the remuneration across CEOs in CSBs.
In terms of the process, proposals are submitted by the Board of the CSB to the relevant line Department setting out the proposed new salary and supporting rationale. The relevant line Department undertakes an assessment of the proposal, and the relevant Minister subsequently considers the Board’s recommendation, the Department’s analysis, and input from NewERA before making a final decision. Following this process, recommendations by the relevant Minister are then submitted for my consent.
The table below outlines the number of recommendations made by the relevant Ministers to which I have given consent for an increase in salary for CEOs in CSBs, under the proposals agreed by Government in April 2025, following the senior posts remuneration committee (SPRC) report. As set out in the table, I have consented to 14 applications. A further 7 recommendations by relevant Ministers have been received by my Department and are under active consideration.
Table: Recommendations to increase in salary for CEOs of CSBs consented to to date
|
No. |
Line Department |
Company Name |
|
No. |
Line Department |
Company Name |
|
1 |
Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage |
Uisce Éireann |
|
2 |
Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage |
GNI |
|
3 |
Department of Transport |
Iarnród Éireann |
|
4 |
Department of Transport |
Bus Éireann |
|
5 |
Department of Transport |
Bus Átha Cliath |
|
6 |
Department of Transport |
CIÉ |
|
7 |
Department of Transport |
Dublin Port Company |
|
8 |
Department of Transport |
Shannon Airport Group |
|
9 |
Department of Transport |
Port of Waterford |
|
10 |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
Irish National Stud |
|
11 |
Department of Transport |
Port of Cork |
|
12 |
Department of Health |
VHI |
|
13 |
Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage |
LDA |
|
14 |
Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (Two applications received, the first on 5th June 2026 and a second application on 19th June 2026) |
An Post |
299. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timeline for the completion of the new Garda station in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50078/26]
View answerConstruction works to renovate and extend Portlaoise Garda station commenced in Q4 2024. In accordance with the terms of the Construction Contract, it is anticipated that these works will reach Substantial Completion in Q1 2027.
Thereafter, An Garda Síochána will carry out, directly, the installation and commissioning of final fittings and equipment before the building and site can be returned to use.
300. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether Ireland has adopted a position on the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition; whether Ireland will support, oppose or seek amendments to the proposal at the next REACH Committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48789/26]
View answer301. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the Minister with responsibility for determining Ireland's voting position on the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition and the instructions that have been issued to Ireland's representative on the REACH Committee. [48790/26]
View answer302. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will publish the latest draft text of the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition; if he will publish Ireland's proposed voting position and any amendments Ireland intends to support or propose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 301 and 302 together.
The restriction on lead ammunition proposed by the European Commission is being progressed at EU level under the Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), which aims to protect human health and the environment from risks associated with hazardous chemicals. The EU proposal is based on scientific opinions prepared by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
While responsibility for the policy areas affected by this EU proposal rests with a number of Government Departments and agencies, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment administratively coordinates Ireland's position and representation at meetings of the REACH Committee. These matters are not within the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. It is in that context that I am responding to this Question.
The draft texts were considered through the REACH Committee process. REACH Committee documents are circulated by the European Commission and meetings are conducted on a confidential basis. Documentation relating to the Committee's work is published by the Commission in accordance with the applicable EU procedures, including through the Comitology Register.
Ireland's position was developed through engagement with the relevant Government Departments and agencies with responsibility for environmental protection, wildlife, hunting and firearms policy.
The EU Commission called a vote on this file on 25th June 2026, which was passed by Member States.
The agreed draft must now undergo scrutiny by the European Parliament and Council before being adopted. Due to the European Parliament’s recess, the European Commission will send the voting result to the Comitology Register after 9 July, which will then launch the scrutiny. At that point, the numbers of votes in favour, abstentions and votes against will be published by the European Commission. In line with the procedures of the REACH Committee, individual voting positions of Member States are not published.
The Government will continue to engage constructively in the EU decision-making process and will consider the environmental, public health, regulatory and practical implications of this EU proposal for Ireland.
