Ciarán Ahern
Ceist:105. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail plans to have undercover ticket inspectors onboard intercity rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53607/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRail Network
Ceisteanna (105)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Ceisteanna (106)
Charles Ward
Ceist:106. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE qualified structural engineers employed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53621/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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. Therefore, matters relating to the day-to-day operations regarding national roads, including the number of WTE qualified structural engineers employed by TII are within the remit of TII.
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.
Electric Vehicles
Ceisteanna (107)
Charles Ward
Ceist:107. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of clubs within Donegal that have been included in the scope of all-island sports club EV charging project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Included in the scope of the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme are 227 clubs of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland. There are 5 eligible clubs in Donegal: CLG Ard An Ratha Ardara GAA, Curragh Athletic FC, Dunfanaghy Golf Club, Letterkenny Golf Club, and Portsalon Golf Club.
All of these clubs have been assessed for suitability by an independent panel for inclusion in the scheme. The scheme includes GAA, rugby, soccer, golf clubs and other sporting organisations in towns, rural communities and city suburbs.
The clubs have now been approved to proceed to engage a supplier from the framework contract to provide EV charging services in their grounds.
Airport Security
Ceisteanna (108)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:108. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an assessment of Dublin Airports preparedness to counter drone threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All airports in the State with commercial traffic are required to have procedures in place to deal with the safety risk posed by illegal drone activity. The procedures are developed in accordance with guidance on managing drone safety risk issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Safety critical areas are defined, interagency response procedures are put in place and a risk assessment must be maintained at each of our airports as part of their certification by the Irish Aviation Authority.
Following drone incidents that caused disruption at Dublin airport in early 2023, daa put in place a range of additional measures to counter illegal drone use. This includes a re-examination and updating of its standard operating procedures when drones are detected, an upgrade to its drone detection systems, a review of the safety critical area at the airport and the deployment of counter drone technology. The counter drone technology was deployed following a Government Decision on the matter and when the necessary approvals and licences were secured from the Irish Aviation Authority and ComReg. All relevant bodies at Dublin Airport now cooperate effectively to tackle illegal drone use and the disruption encountered in early 2023 has not been repeated.
It is important to note that while these measures have been effective in countering the careless and reckless use of drones, the type of malicious activity seen recently at some European airports would require a wider state response. Airport authorities have procedures to ensure the safety of the travelling public in such circumstances but would not be appropriate bodies to co-ordinate the overall response to such activity.
Air Services
Ceisteanna (109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:109. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with an airline (details supplied) regarding the decision to phase out paper boarding passes; and the consumer protections in place to ensure passengers who do not own or use smartphones are not disadvantaged. [53652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:110. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department to guarantee that passengers with disabilities or older passengers, who may struggle with digital-only systems, can continue to access air travel without penalty. [53653/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has assessed whether the move to digital-only boarding passes complies with consumer rights and accessibility regulations at both national and EU level; and if he will publish any such assessment. [53654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take in conjunction with the Commission for Aviation Regulation to ensure airlines operating in Ireland maintain non-digital boarding alternatives for passengers who request them. [53655/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage at EU level with the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on the implications of airlines moving to mandatory digital boarding passes, particularly with regard to equality of access to services. [53656/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 113, inclusive, together.
There are no overarching EU rules or national rules prescribing the specific format or content of boarding passes. These details are set by individual air carriers. As the Deputy notes in his questions, some airlines are moving towards mandatory digital boarding passes.
In this regard, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the designated compliance authority for the accessibility of digital services provided by airlines under Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (the European Accessibility Act (EAA)), which came into force on June 28, 2025. In addition, the IAA serves as the National Enforcement Body for Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, which protects the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air.
The IAA’s responsibilities include:
• Monitoring airline compliance with accessibility obligations under both the EAA and EC 1107/2006.
• Investigating complaints from passengers regarding accessibility barriers or discriminatory practices.
• Carrying out inspections and assessments to ensure airline accessibility requirements are met for individuals with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Under the EAA, airlines must ensure that digital services, including the use of digital boarding
passes, adhere to the accessibility requirements as set out in the EAA, which include, but are not
limited to, the following:
• Be compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies, ensuring that users with
• visual or cognitive impairments can access and navigate the content effectively.
• Incorporate multiple sensory channels, including visual, auditory, and tactile elements,
• to accommodate diverse user needs.
• Demonstrate adherence to the harmonised standards prescribed under the EEA.
Failure to meet these obligations may constitute non-compliance with the EAA.
Passengers may submit complaints concerning accessibility directly to the IAA, which will assess and take appropriate enforcement action where airlines are deemed to be in breach of the EAA or Regulation EC1107/2006. Where, following an investigation, the IAA identifies a breach of the legislation, it will engage with the airline and request that the airline take corrective action. Depending on the issues presented by the complaint, the IAA will determine the best remedies for the complaint within its statutory remit.
Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 109.
Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 109.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 109.
Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 109.
Transport Policy
Ceisteanna (114)
Charles Ward
Ceist:114. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a 2024 end-of-year report on the Connecting Ireland plan for County Donegal; the funding that was allocated and spent; the services that have been delivered; the funding that was allocated in 2025; the services that will be delivered in 2025 in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I think the Deputy will agree with me when I say that the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan has been a huge success, with over 175 new or enhanced services introduced since 2022. This means that over 240 towns and villages have been connected to the public transport network, and approximately 600,000 people have access to new and enhanced bus services.
61 new connections have been provided to healthcare facilities, 41 new connections to higher education facilities and 71 of the new and enhanced services provide connections with existing rail services. In 2024, nearly 8 million passenger journeys were made on Connecting Ireland bus routes.
There has been considerable investment in services throughout the country under Connecting Ireland, including in County Donegal, with the commencement of the enhanced Route 966 between Falcaragh and Magheroarty, and the new Route 959 from Buncranny to Greencastle, which now operates four daily return services Monday to Friday, and three daily return services on Saturdays and Sundays. This new route offers connectivity to Greencastle, Moville, Carndonagh and Buncrana providing these areas with improved and more regular bus services.
2025 is the fourth year of the five-year Connecting Ireland plan and more new and enhanced bus services are planned throughout rural Ireland. However, I must add that future funding for public transport expansion will be considered through the upcoming Annual Estimates process.
The NTA also publish implementation reviews of each phase of Connecting Ireland. The reviews of Phases 1, 2 and 3 are available on the NTA website. The NTA also publish quarterly bulletins with the bulletin for Q1 of 2025 now also available on the NTA website.
My Department supports the continued expansion of rural transport in line with the recent commitment in the Programme for Government to continue the roll-out of Connecting Ireland, which will be considered in the upcoming Budget 2026 discussions as well.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA responsibilities, 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.
Road Safety Authority
Ceisteanna (115)
Charles Ward
Ceist:115. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of HGVs, coaches and buses that were inspected by the Road Safety Authority in 2024, and for the first seven months of 2025; the number of those vehicles inspected that were found to have major or dangerous defects in 2024, and for the first seven months of 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53684/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No.477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body with statutory responsibility for the operation and oversight of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) system and the information requested is held by the Authority.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (116)
James O'Connor
Ceist:116. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 18 September 2025, if there are any further plans to open a driving test centre in the rest of Munster; the waiting times for a driving test for the rest of Munster; how this statistic compares to the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the provision of test centres, testing and scheduling matters.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times by county and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (117)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:117. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport when the new driving test centre in Sandyford will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53712/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the provision of test centres, and I understand that a site had been identified in the Sandyford area which the RSA aims to be open and operational shortly.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (118)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when the sectoral investment plan will be ready for his Department with respect to public transport projects and the National Development Plan review; the funding which will be provided for the Navan Rail project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53731/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals.
I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 the NTA allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.
IÉ commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project, and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multi-disciplinary consultants RPS were appointed by IÉ for the duration of the project to work with the rail company’s in-house project team.
It is anticipated that a public consultation on the route options for the project will take place by early 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and support the development of a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government, in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines, before any planning application.
The Navan Rail Line is being delivered by IÉ on behalf of the NTA, with funding for the project being provided by my Department through the NTA.
The Department of Transport's annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030, and the Government's overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035, were confirmed in the recently published National Development Plan Review 2025. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made in the coming months.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in relation to the Navan Rail line 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (119)
Robert O'Donoghue
Ceist:119. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the ongoing capacity issues on the 101x commuter bus service, which is frequently full before reaching the final stops in Balbriggan, and often bypasses Balrothery without stopping, leaving commuters unable to board; if he will consider increasing the frequency of the service or providing additional capacity to ensure that residents in Balbriggan and Balrothery have reliable access to public transport during peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53764/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (120)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:120. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport his views around the challenges being experienced by unaccompanied learner drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53830/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that a learner permit is not a licence, but permission to drive on our roads while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
The current pass rate for driving tests nationally stands at 52%, so having fulfilled the driving lesson requirements does not mean that an individual meets the standard required to pass the test.
An unaccompanied learner driver who is stopped by an Garda Síochána is liable to up to four penalty points, a fixed charge, seizure of the vehicle and possible prosecution. It should be noted that studies have repeatedly shown that unaccompanied learner drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. Thus, for reasons of road safety, there can be no exceptions to the current laws in force around learner drivers.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (121)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:121. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if a disability impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision to remove Grade 1 faults; if such an assessment exists; if this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53838/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Road Tolls
Ceisteanna (122)
Robert Troy
Ceist:122. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will carry out a review of the physical payment options currently available to pay the M50 toll since road users, who avail of the port tunnel, have very limited options to source a psychical payment point having passed through the tunnel. [53874/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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). Moreover, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question regarding payment options for tolls to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Road Projects
Ceisteanna (123)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the proposed upgrade of the A5 road in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland.
The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 were governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government had previously committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland was concluded. It was announced on February 20th 2024 that as part of Government funding commitments for Shared Island projects, €600 million was being committed for the progression of the A5 project.
The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland. As such, the matter of the overall cost of the project is for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It estimates the total scheme cost for the A5 project is c. £1.6 billion, with completion expected by 2032/2033 and the largest funding demands over the 2025 to 2028 period. I can confirm that my Department regularly engages with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. These engagements consider a range of North/South transport proposals, including the A5.
The A5 project was approved by the Northern Ireland Executive on October 2nd 2024. On the 30th of June 2025, the High Court overturned the decision by the Department of Infrastructure to proceed with the first phase of the A5 dual carriageway project. I understand that the Department for Infrastructure has lodged an appeal against this judgement, which is expected to be heard before year end.