Written Answers Nos. 215-226
215. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Killorglin town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51038/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
216. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51039/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
217. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Dingle and West Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
218. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Farranfore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51042/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
219. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51043/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
220. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway to Kenmare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51044/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
221. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider extending the South Kerry greenway around the entire Ring of Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51045/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
222. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to give favourable consideration to extending the South Kerry Greenway onto Castleisland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51046/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
223. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite all greenways across County Kerry; to provide landowners and farmers with all necessary accommodation works and fair compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51047/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. To date, there has been a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Kerry, with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025 alone.
In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to give favourable consideration to introducing a sustainability payment for all landowners/farmers affected by greenways passing through their lands in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51048/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. To date, there has been a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Kerry, with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025 alone.
In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The Code of Practice for National and Regional Greenways includes information on the acquisition of private lands for developing Greenways. The Code acknowledges the important role of farmers and landowners in the process. It outlines the procedures to ensure that they are treated fairly and equitably. TII are tasked with maintaining the Code.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
225. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite the Adare bypass; for a detailed up-to-date progress report on this major infrastructural scheme for Kerry, Limerick and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51069/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 planning, design and construction 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 on the status of this project.
I can confirm that €69,000,000 has been allocated for the N21/69 Foynes Limerick (including Adare Bypass) scheme in 2025. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2026 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the progress of construction on the Adare Bypass. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
226. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the provision/section under law for the offence of failing to surrender a driving licence or learner permit to the Road Safety Authority as required, when disqualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51070/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that under Regulation 44 of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (SI 537 of 2006), as amended, drivers subject to a consequential, ancillary or special disqualification are required to return their driving licence to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). These are penal provisions.
Failing to surrender a licence following disqualification is also an offence and is a matter for the Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána have access to data on the National Vehicle and Driver File and can detect and prosecute drivers who continue to drive while disqualified, whether or not their licence has been surrendered.
The penalty for non-return of a driving licence is the general penalty under section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 - a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence, up to €2,000 for a second offence, and up to €2,000 and/or up to 3 months in prison for a third or subsequent offence in a 12 month period.
It is important to note that, while the non-surrender of licences is of concern, the more important issue from a road safety perspective is that the driving disqualification is observed. The individuals in question are fully aware of the Court's decision and the disqualification is in effect regardless of whether their licence is surrendered.
