Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will be attending the EuroVelo and Cycling Tourism Conference 2024 in Denmark, given the potential of cycling and sustainable tourism in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16696/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to allocating €60m per annum over the lifetime of this Government to progressing the rollout of the National and Regional Greenways programme i.e., routes that exceed 20km in length as well as the promotion of the Irish sections of the EuroVelo 1 and 2 routes.
I recognise the important role of high-quality cycling infrastructure in encouraging greater levels of travel via cycling and walking rather than private car use amongst leisure users, tourists, and commuters. I welcome the economic potential associated with cycling infrastructure in attracting both overseas visitors and domestic visitors to explore our beautiful landscapes via cycling.
My officials are currently reviewing the subthemes and available details for the 2024 EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference. If the topics and programme of events aligns with the work activities undertaken by my Department, I would expect that there will be Departmental representation at this event.
122. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the most recent additional capital allocations to support transport infrastructure projects contained within the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) additional capital allocations for 2025 and 2026. The revised capital ceilings, in DPENDR's memo to government, dated 26th March 2024, set out an unchanged core ceiling for 2024 of €2.664bn. The Department is also in receipt of an additional €72.95m in Shared Island, EU Just Transition Fund and RePowerEU funding. The revised ceiling for 2025 is €2.850bn and the ceiling for 2026 is €3.350bn.
Overall, the memo to government states that the allocation of additional capital to Government Departments will facilitate the progression of important projects in key sectors and enable more rapid development of key Programme for Government commitments, particularly the delivery of actions to fulfil our climate action plan commitments.
My Department's investment plans are very much in line with these overall parameters for the investment of additional capital. The revised ceilings will inform the shape of capital budgets for 2025 and 2026. The Department's investment teams will work closely with its investment agencies to ensure that the capital is deployed as effectively as possible in delivering on the Department's existing priority commitments.
The additional capital allocations will broadly assist in progressing the major infrastructure projects now very advanced in, or starting to emerge from the planning system, such as BusConnects, DART + and Metrolink. The capital will also assist in progressing key road projects such as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and the Adare bypass as well as progressing planned EV infrastructure investments. Exact capital allocations to projects have yet to be determined and depend on a wide range of factors, from status in the planning system to approval by government to go to tender based on final business cases.
In addition, existing commitments concerning road and rail protection and renewal, the Department's active travel investment programme and aviation and maritime commitments will all be taken into account when optimising investment plans for 2025 and 2026. I am now happy to take any questions that the Deputy may have.
123. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if there is a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Australia covering all categories of HGV licences (details supplied). [22182/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with Australia for holders of HGV licences. An Australian HGV licence holder who wishes to drive such vehicles professionally in Ireland must, in addition to exchanging their Australian licence for an Irish one, obtain a certificate of professional competence before they can drive for a living.
More information can be found here: www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html
124. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the national safety camera enforcement strategy; when it is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22199/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments set out under Actions 67 and 122 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, the National Transport Authority (NTA) chaired a cross-agency working group to examine various approaches to expediting the timely and efficient introduction of camera enforcement. Building on the recommendations of this group and work undertaken by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in respect of speed cameras, the Department has appointed TII to lead the development of the National Safety Camera Enforcement Strategy. This strategy will outline the structure, funding and partnership and governance arrangements associated with the management and implementation of camera based enforcement in Ireland. The Strategy is expected to be finalised before the end of 2024. There are also a number of ongoing and immediate actions in respect of cameras in advance of the production of the wider strategy. TII is working with An Garda Síochána (AGS) on the rollout of three additional average speed camera locations, while AGS has also approved the rollout of nine additional static cameras. A 20% increase in the hours of deployment of GoSafe vans, announced by the Minister for Justice last September, has also now been extended to October 2025. This will deliver 9,000 hours of activity each month, up from 7,500 before the rise.
125. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to Kerry County Council for emergency works at Lisheen junction at the four-crossroads junction of Lisheen and Gneeveguilla, given there have been several serious accidents at this junction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22204/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Applications for funding under my Department’s Safety Improvement Scheme are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. Councils are made aware of this and are asked to submit applications in order of priority. As Kerry County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources. The Department sought applications in Q3 of 2023 for consideration for funding under several works programmes on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities in 2024. The schemes for inclusion in the applications are decided by the local authorities. According to my Department's records, an application was not received from Kerry County Council for works on the Lisheen junction at the four cross-roads junction of Lisheen and Gneeveguilla.
126. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if responsibility for granting exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989 lies with the Minister or is delegated to a Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the appointment of an Taoiseach Simon Harris TD along with other Ministers of the Government, a new Delegation of Functions Order is required to formally delegate certain statutory functions to the Minister of State for Transport, Jack Chambers TD.
The OPC has worked closely with the Department of Transport in finalising this draft Order. The functions delegated therein are identical to those in the previous such Order (SI 211/2023) with minor additions included in the Schedule of the draft Order, to take account of more recent legislation, which underpin the functions to be delegated to the Minister of State.
The Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989 were included in SI 211 of 2023 and will be included in the updated order.
127. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of whether exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989 were granted for munitions, weapons of war or dangerous goods in each year from 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22212/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989 define ‘munitions of war’ as weapons and ammunition designed for use in warfare and includes parts of or for such weapons and ammunition.
In relation to exemptions granted under these Orders, these are not collated according to any sub-category, as such the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.
Officials in my Department will review records to establish the additional details that the Deputy has requested in relation to exemptions granted in the years referenced, including the number of exemptions which related to the carriage of dangerous goods and these will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
128. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the concerns raised regarding traffic controls adjacent to a national school (details supplied); if he will acknowledge the obvious dangers that exist, given there is no on-street parking available for school pick-up and drop-off, which is causing both parking congestion at the roadside and visibility issues for traffic circulating through; if he will require the local authority to install speed ramps adjacent to the school area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22236/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority is the statutory road authority for its functional area and this includes responsibility for traffic management. Works on regional and local roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year.
As Waterford City and County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources. As such, this matter is best directed to Waterford City Council.
129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the reason Killarney rail and bus stations continue to be connected by a lengthy walkway; the reason both cannot be integrated, particularly for people with mobility issues attempting to transfer between both on tight schedules; if lifts and stairs will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22240/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann .
In view of the Iarnród Éireann's and Bus Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to instances of flights being impacted by GPS spoofing and-or jamming in Irish-controlled airspace in 2022, 2023 or to date in 2024; and if he and or his officials have engaged with the Irish Aviation Authority, the Department Of Defence and-or An Garda Síochána in respect of same over that time period. [22269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of GNSS jamming and spoofing has been discussed by the Department with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and state and industry entities through the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (Dept. of Defence, Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána are all represented on this Committee) and the aviation safety-focused National State Safety Coordination Committee.
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a fundamental element of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), used for aircraft navigation and surveillance, and by numerous other essential aircraft systems in all phases of flight.
IAA, together with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have observed an increase in the number of reported incidents involving the jamming and/or spoofing of GNSS, including GPS, recently. This issue particularly affects the geographical areas surrounding conflict zones but is also encountered in the south and eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, and present in Baltic Sea and Arctic area.
Jamming is an intentional radio frequency interference with GNSS signals. This interference prevents receivers from locking onto satellites signals and has the main effect of rendering the GNSS system ineffective or degraded for users in the jammed area. Spoofing involves broadcasting counterfeit satellite signals to deceive GNSS receivers, causing them to compute incorrect position, navigation, and timing data.
Ireland, under the oversight of COMREG, has legislation which prohibits the unauthorised use of jamming and/or spoofing equipment. The IAA has put in place guidance for air traffic management providers in Ireland in order to mitigate against potential safety challenges of jamming / spoofing.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a Safety Information Bulletin addressing the associated risks. The IAA continues to oversee recommendations in this area and has highlighted this specific safety issue and related EASA Safety Information Bulletin during recent safety review meetings with Irish aircraft operators and the Air Navigation Service Providers. The IAA, together with international organisations, continues to monitor the situation and takes mitigating action as needed.
131. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the proposals his Department has received to facilitate blind individuals being able to alert bus drivers that they will be at a certain bus stop ahead of time in order that the bus stops for them; if he will consider such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
132. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to establish and convene a stakeholders' forum on public transport safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22286/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTA has established a Transport User Advisory Group and an existing commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a National Public Transport Forum was incorporated into the National Sustainable Mobility Policy. This is now a commitment to convene a National Sustainable Mobility Forum to engage with all stakeholders on progress in relation to the SMP.
My department convened the first National Sustainable Mobility Forum from the 19th to the 20th of April 2023, to coincide with the first anniversary of the launch of the SMP. Trade union officials were invited and ASB was included as one of the issues discussed during stakeholder workshops. The publishing of the NTA Passenger Security Report, as well as increased structured reporting from operators to the NTA and from the NTA to the Department, are steps taken across the last year to action these proposals.
The next Sustainable Mobility Forum will take place on May 23rd in Portlaoise. As part of the Forum, my department has organised a closed Transport Safety and Security Workshop with key industry stakeholders, to discuss the issue of safety. The workshop is the first step toward developing a public transport safety charter, as requested in the SIPTU Respect for Transport Worker campaign.
133. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the RSA’s plans to reduce the waiting times for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22287/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service.
At the end of April, the estimated national average wait time to be invited to sit a driving test was 14.9 weeks. While this is still above the service level agreement target of 10 weeks, significant progress has been made since last August, when the estimated wait time was 30.4 weeks nationally.
The driver testing service is currently facing unprecedented demand, with the number of applications for tests rising by 23% year-on-year. Progress in reducing wait times has been achieved primarily through the sanctioning of 75 additional driver tester posts by my Department last March, with the first additional testers entering active service last September. The RSA currently has sanction to employ up to 205 driver testers in total, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned posts in June 2022.
To further assist with reducing waiting times, in October last year a change was made to the booking system to allow any unused test slots to be made available for candidates to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety portal. Following this change, test slot utilisation rates have risen from around 95% to 98%, delivering further testing capacity to the system.
I recognise the challenges that excessive waiting times are imposing on people throughout the country and I welcome the Road Safety Authority's commitment to restoring average wait times to the target, 10-week level during the summer. My officials are working closely with the Authority to monitor progress towards this goal.
134. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Government's plans to encourage more taxi drivers to work nights in Dublin city centre, following concerns over their safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
The NTA conducted taxi driver research nationally in September/October 2022. The survey shows that of those who state they don’t currently work nights (12pm - 05:59), just over four in five have ever worked nights. Of those who have stopped working nights, 48% cite the reason being personal safety and 40% cite customer behaviour and/or extra cleaning costs.
The National Maximum Taxi Fare which increased from 1 September 2022, and coincided with the survey, included an average fare increase of 12%, with more weighting towards premium times (20:00 – 08:00) to encourage more operators to work at peak time to meet demand.
The NTA carried out a similar survey recently, and those results will be published in the coming months.
Section 73(5) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that I may consult with, or seek the advice of, the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles on any matter arising in relation to their functions with respect to small public service vehicles and their drivers. I have recently written to the Advisory Committee to request its consideration of how taxi availability can be assessed, and to make recommendations on how relevant data can be collected.
135. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline all noise reduction technology in place in Dublin Airport; the details of any further noise reduction technology being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22289/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the responsibility for noise related technology at the airport.
Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct detailed response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
136. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated to Cavan County Council in each year from 2004 to 2024 for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads, in tabular form; if he will consider allocating additional funding to Cavan County Council this year; and if he will consider transitioning to a multi-year funding model to give companies undertaking local authorities road contracts the confidence to expand their capacity to undertake these contracts. [22302/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
As regards the funding allocated to Cavan County Council in each year from 2004 to 2024 for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads, details of the regional and local road grant allocations are outlined in the regional and local road allocations booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.
In relation to allocating additional funding to Cavan County Council this year, I recognise the impact that persistent rainfall this winter has had on the regional and local road network and I am exploring options as to any supports that might potentially be provided to local authorities. This will of course be dependent on the availability of funding from across my Department's wider investment programme.
Lastly, as regards a multi-year funding model, the annual budget available for regional and local roads is subject to the Estimates process each year. The regional and local road grant allocations are finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor transport costs and the contributory factors thereto, with a view to ensuring any negative impact on the economy might be alleviated insofar as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to the same question - Question No. 13 of 1 February 2024. The position remains the same.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which steps are ongoing to ensure the viability of the transport sector, notwithstanding any challenges from whatever source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overseen and continues to support a number of initiatives which will help to ensure the overall viability of the transport sector into the future.
Supporting National and International Connectivity
For Ireland, the aviation sector is vital and growing. Be this in connecting Irish based firms with suppliers or customers, accessing or providing specialist labour, securing our capability to attract and sustain foreign direct investment, facilitating the growth of our tourism industry, or maintaining connections to our Irish diaspora. In the National Aviation Policy (2015) the Government confirmed its support for the new parallel runway at Dublin Airport – the North Runway - and the development of the Airport as a secondary hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.
The North Runway is an investment by daa in a key piece of strategic national infrastructure for current and future generations in Ireland which will ensure that Dublin Airport can meet expected future demand. The project was delivered on time and on budget at €320m with no recourse to Exchequer funding. Opened on 24 August 2022, daa advise that the North Runway will be capable of delivering a 31% gain in connectivity by 2034, underpinning Dublin Airport’s position as a leading European Airport, a key European gateway to North America and a driver of economic growth.
As part of its current Capital Investment Programme, daa has submitted a planning application to Fingal County Council seeking to increase the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to 40m passenger per annum and planning permission for capacity enhancing projects including new aircraft piers and stands which will facilitate its development as a secondary hub airport.
Government recognises that regional airports also play an important role in their areas because of the level of international connectivity that they bring to a region. In recognition of this and in line with the National Development Plan and National Aviation Policy, my Department supports regional air connectivity under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. This Programme provides support for essential safety and security related operations and activities at Ireland’s smallest airports i.e. those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million annual passengers, on average over the two preceding financial years. Since 2021, almost €65m in Exchequer funding has been provided to airports under this Programme. A further €13m is available for allocation to regional airports in 2024.
In addition, marking Government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to the Northwest region, the Programme supports a twice daily two-way Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service. This service facilitates same day return trips from Donegal to Dublin, providing the people and businesses in the North-West with air services to attend medical and other important appointments as well as onward international connectivity from Dublin Airport.
This targeted Exchequer funding has supported the strong rebound in air connectivity witnessed across Irish regional airports (Cork, Shannon, Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal), with overall passenger traffic in 2023 9% above 2019 pre-pandemic passenger levels. Further strong growth was witnessed in Q1 this year, with passenger traffic 10% above passenger levels when compared to the same period last year.
Government is strongly committed to providing reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. Budget 2024 helps support this objective and is a further positive development for public transport passengers across the country.
My Department has extended the 20% fare reduction on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services and the 50% reduction available for young adults on both PSO and commercial bus services. My Department is also supporting new and enhanced bus and rail services throughout 2024. These are all part of a €613 million funding package to support PSO services and that package is hugely significant in the context of providing accessible and affordable transport options.
In line with National Development Plan (NDP) objectives and National Ports Policy, the State ports are continuing to progress projects under their masterplans to enhance Ireland’s capacity for trade, connectivity and allow the ports to respond to market needs, handle increases in ship sizes and frequency and serve the essential import and export needs of the economy.
National Ports Policy provides the overarching policy framework for the governance and future development of Ireland’s state port network. However, the national and international environment for which the 2013 policy was developed has changed fundamentally. As Minister, I recognise that a new approach is needed to assist our ports with the environmental, technological, demographic, and geopolitical challenges of the next decade and beyond.
To address these new challenges a review of National Ports Policy is underway to take a critical look at the policy framework. I am pleased that my Department has received over 70 submissions in response to a broad thematic Issues Paper published for public consultation last October. The Issues Paper sought stakeholder views on the appropriate policy responses to provide for the future economic, financial viability of our ports of national significance and opportunities in areas such as the development of the Offshore Renewable Energy sector and technological innovation among others. Those responses are under review presently and it is anticipated that a draft policy will be available for further public consultation in the second half of 2024.
With regards to our shipping sector, the major change in trade flows since the end of the Brexit transition period has demonstrated the resilience and responsiveness of the Irish shipping industry. It adjusted swiftly and comprehensively to the changes in demand from business, and provided a range of additional services, frequency and capacity options to transport goods to continental markets. My Department, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) will continue to monitor available shipping capacity and work with the sector to ensure it can continue to adapt to the changing environmental, economic and geopolitical landscape. My Department is also continuing work with other departments and ports to ensure compliance with any EU trade sanctions that have been introduced due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In December 2022, the Government published Ireland’s Road Haulage Strategy 2022–2031, following two phases of public consultation. The Strategy provides a roadmap on how the Government will support the future viability of the haulage and road freight sector and focuses on generating efficiencies, improving standards, helping to create secure employment and assisting the sector to move towards decarbonisation.
Implementation of the short-term actions contained in the Strategy has progressed well since the Strategy’s publication, and their progress is being monitored by the Road Freight Forum, which consists of relevant stakeholders from Government, relevant agencies, academia and the haulage and road freight sector.
A global and longstanding shortage of drivers continues to impact the road freight sector. The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, established in 2019, oversees the implementation of actions to address the issue, including recruitment of drivers from abroad and the development of entry, educational and career pathways for new drivers.
Two temporary haulage support schemes were run by my Department in 2022 and 2023, with €31.2 million paid out across both schemes to 3,084 and 2,828 operators respectively, representing approx. 81% and 74% of the overall road haulage operators licensed in the State.
The Schemes assisted hauliers to deal with historic high diesel prices following the invasion of Ukraine, which represented a risk to the liquidity of those businesses. Both haulage support schemes operated under the EU Temporary Crisis Framework (TCF) on State Aid, adopted to address the economic impacts, in particular on energy prices, of the war in Ukraine.
Climate Action and Adaptation
The Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) sets out Ireland’s transport decarbonisation pathway. This was informed by detailed transport modelling undertaken with the National Transport Authority to identify a pathway that could achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030, while improving accessibility and supporting Ireland’s growing economy.
It incorporates key recommendations of an in-depth OECD review - ‘Redesigning Ireland’s Transport for Net-Zero’ - which found that Ireland’s existing transport systems embedded car-dependency and increased emissions by design.
It was identified through this work that compliance with Ireland’s transport sectoral emissions ceilings would only result through a systemic change in transport planning and behaviour, and from an integrated combination of measures that are premised on an ‘AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE’ framework to achieving greater transport sustainability.
The decarbonisation pathway that was set out in CAP23 has been retained in the draft CAP24 (published December 2023 and which is currently being finalised following its public consultation for the purposes of Strategic Environment Assessment and Appropriate Assessment).
As in other European countries, Irish transport systems and infrastructure are increasingly experiencing the challenges posed by the now unavoidable impacts of climate change, caused by historic greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts range from more frequent severe weather events - such as winter storms and increased flooding and summer drought - to slower impacts such as sea level rise. Through the statutory Transport Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (SAP) under the National Adaptation Framework, my Department is progressing the implementation of resilience building and climate change adaptation actions for Transport under three priority objectives. These priority areas reflect international and national science and best practice and include:
• targeted research and cross-sectoral engagement,
• integration of adaptation into appraisal and investment frameworks and allocation of funding for resilience works,
• the publication and delivery of adaptation strategies and supporting stakeholders in adaptation capacity-building and planning.
Pre-planning and preliminary stages of the revision of the next Transport SAP were carried out in 2023, in line with the indicative Q2 2025 timeline for publication as set out in CAP23, and under the revision of the NAF. These stages included engagement with Transport infrastructure stakeholders and analysis of optimal monitoring, evaluation and reporting structures for adaptation actions.
In 2024, the core content of the revised plan will be undertaken, involving a climate adaptation risk, impact and priorities assessment, and development of actions in consultation with stakeholders, with a view to a draft plan for public consultation, in line with Climate Action Plan 2024. As we face into the next decade on our path to Net Zero Carbon, the Transport sector will continue to address vulnerability and build resilience to climate change impacts:
• through implementation of the new Sectoral Adaptation Plan,
• in collaboration with other national sectors, and
• in alignment with Climate Action Plan objectives, Climate Change Advisory Council analysis, and national and international best practice.
Given the key role of sustainable aviation fuel will play in decarbonising aviation, I also tasked my officials late last year to establish the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Task Force. This Task Force will assist in the devising of a SAF policy roadmap and provide a forum for stakeholder engagement to evaluate the deployment of SAF within the Irish context.
Emergency Planning
An increasingly complex global risk landscape has required a consistent focus on emergency management and preparedness matters across my Department and its agencies. The development of the Department’s capacity to respond to emergencies, as well as the resilience of the sector remains critical. My Department’s dedicated Emergency Planning Division - established in 2022 - continues to lead coordination on these matters, representing the Department at meetings of the Government Task Force (GTF) on Emergency Planning and developing and refining integrated response plans for national emergencies where the Department is the designated Lead Government Department. In addition, agencies regularly exercise their Emergency Plans, often as part of exercises conducted under the Major Emergency Management Framework.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in the electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth rail line, with particular reference to the towns likely to expect an enhanced service; the extent of the parking arrangements currently proposed; if such arrangements can be improved in line with local requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22315/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects.
As part of the DART+ Programme, the DART+ West project will provide an electrified and more frequent rail service to passengers between Maynooth and M3 Parkway and Dublin city centre. A Railway Order application for the project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022 and an oral hearing held in the second half of last year. A planning decision from An Bord Pleanála is awaited.
The objectives of the DART+ West project is to increase capacity/frequency and electrify the line. Additional car parking facilities are not within the scope of the DART+ West project. However, Iarnród Éireann’s Network Enhancement Division and the NTA's Park & Ride Development Office are working on other projects to deliver enhanced parking at stations, for cars and bicycles, in parallel to the DART+ West project.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid in tolls in the past eight years to date in regard to all tolled locations throughout the country, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22316/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
With regard to the payment mechanism associated with toll operations, it is a contractual obligation which may incorporate a traffic guarantee mechanism. Therefore, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
It is important to point out that the East-Link Toll Bridge is the responsibility of Dublin City Council, and queries relating to the operation of this bridge should be directed to the Council.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
