Written Answers Nos. 238-257
238. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended by her Department and by each agency for which she is responsible on advertising, promotion, advertising companies and external communications companies or consultants in 2025 and the expected costs for 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11348/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in tabular form below:
|
Purpose of spend |
Company |
Amount spent |
|
Army Rifle Ranges Warning Notices to public warning of Military Firing Ranges. |
Spark Foundry |
€39,400.48 |
|
Notice from the Defence Force Training Centre- Roads closures in the Curragh camp. |
KFM |
€369 |
|
Army Rifle Ranges Warning Notices to public warning of Military Firing Ranges. |
North Wicklow Times Ltd |
€2,878.20 |
|
Emergency resilience |
Javelin |
€150,481.26 |
|
Emergency resilience |
Spark Foundry |
€5,000 |
|
Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry – call for submissions re notice of Intended Orders for Disclosure. |
Irish Examiner, Irish Independent |
€8,979 |
|
Civil Defence Recruitment– ad placement |
Spark Foundry |
€49,118 |
|
Civil Defence Recruitment– ad production |
Agency Fig LTD |
€6,123 |
|
Civil Defence – video production |
Fast Forward productions |
€709 |
|
Civil Defence Recruitment– radio voiceover |
Moynihan Russell LTD |
€547 |
The budgetary allocation in respect of advertising in 2026 is €100,000.
The expenditure incurred on advertising and promotion by the bodies under the aegis of my Department for 2025 and their respective budget allocations for 2026 is being compiled and will be provided as soon as possible.
239. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons currently in training to qualify as pilots and air traffic controllers within Air Corps; and when each of them will qualify, in tabular form. [11479/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of trainee Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers and the estimated dates of qualification for each is set out in tables A and B below. Military authorities have advised that there are a total of 30 and 5 personnel currently engaged in Pilot and Air Traffic Controller training respectively.
Table A- Trainee Pilots
|
Class |
Number in Training |
Estimated Qualification Dates |
|
41st Wings Course |
7 |
April 2026 |
|
42nd Wings Course |
7 |
September 2026 |
|
43rd Wings Course |
9 |
May 2027 |
|
44th Wings Course |
7 |
Jun 2028 |
Table B- Trainee Air Traffic Controllers - Estimated Qualification Dates
|
Trainees |
Aerodrome |
Duty Air Traffic Controller Qualified |
|
Trainee 1 |
February 2026 |
June 2026 |
|
Trainee 2 |
May 2026 |
June 2026 |
|
Trainee 3 |
May 2026 |
June 2026 |
|
Trainee 4 |
May 2027 |
June 2027 |
|
Trainee 5 |
May 2027 |
June 2027 |
240. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps is considering purchasing V-22 Osprey type of aircraft for its fleet. [11480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
New rotary wing capabilities are currently being advanced in the context of the Equipment Development Planning process, and to this end, the various work packages under the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces have commenced, which will inform future investment decisions.
There are no plans at present to purchase V-22 Osprey type aircraft for the Air Corps.
241. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence if her Department has an intended supplier in mind for the replacement of Ireland's LTAVs; if her Department is still open to engagement with interested suppliers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11530/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Defence Forces fleet of 27 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles, the RG32M, has been in service since 2010. These vehicles are now approaching end of life, are being withdrawn from active service and are due to be replaced.
Following the publication of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, the Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2).
A joint civil / military project team are continuing their work on an Armoured Fleet Programme which will include the replacement and enhancement of Ireland's Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle fleet in line with the Public Spending Code Infrastructure Guidelines. The Programme is currently in the process of identifying the needs and requirements of the future armoured fleet as part of the capability development planning process. The Programme will be progressed in line with the recently published updated Detailed Implementation Plan.
More generally, in July 2025 the Government approved the National Development Plan (2026-2030). As per the capital allocation under the NDP, the capital budget for Defence will rise from €1.1 billion under the previous NDP to €1.7billion, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State.
This level of capital funding will allow a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the recommendations approved by Government within the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
242. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Government’s recently acquired counter drone technology will only monitor the area around Baldonnel airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11531/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July this year, the delivery of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the Defence Forces has been prioritised.
Following Dáil approval on 3 December 2025 of a Supplementary Estimate which provided for the accelerated procurement of C-UAS capabilities for use by the Defence Forces, contractual arrangements have been put in place to enable delivery of these capabilities during the first half of this year. In line with these arrangements, training of military personnel is already underway and the further roll-out of the required capabilities will continue to be accelerated this year.
For operational security reasons, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this matter at this time.
243. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence when she intends to seek Cabinet approval for her Department’s strategic capability delivery programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11532/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed and this will be aided by the Capability Development Programme.
The civil/military staffed Capability Development Unit, established in 2023 in response to a recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces to implement a top down Capability Development Planning Process, are preparing a 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. This will be in line with the capital allocation under the National Development Plan. To this end, the priority continues to be progressing to LOA 2 thereby providing the foundations for future developments in capability.
The Capability Development Programme will be published in the first half of 2026.
244. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the proposed first working group meeting under the newly signed Ireland–Finland Memorandum of Understanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
This includes the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommendations, particularly with regard to the enhancement of Defence Force Capabilities. The Commission's Report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding.
More specifically, capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme. This is an ongoing iterative process. In this context, the principal aim of Government policy is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
The Defence Policy Review 2024 sets out an approach to collaboration with other States. It provides that “No nation acting alone can address all of the current complex and dynamic security challenges affecting global and regional defence and security. Ireland accepts this practical reality and appreciates the need to broaden and deepen our levels of engagement on defence issues internationally. In this context, increased collaborative procurement and capability development with partners will also be a feature of Irish defence capability planning to increase our knowledge, subject matter expertise and skills. This approach will serve to improve our defence interoperability, to harness and enhance efficient value-for-money procurement and capability development at the EU level.”
It is in this overall context that engagement with Finland, and a number of other countries has been ongoing in recent months. Engagement with Finland has included meetings between Department officials and colleagues from the Finnish Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Ambassador. I can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of Defence Material cooperation was signed in December at official level.
Engagement with Finnish colleagues has already begun with regard to planning the first formal Steering Group meeting which is scheduled to take place early in March. I look forward to the outcome of the work of the Steering Group, provided for under the MoU, and potential future co-operation in the defence procurement sphere between Finland and Ireland.
245. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on an application for appropriate accommodation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11142/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including TFI Local Link bus services. In light of the NTA's 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.
246. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport if permission was given by the State for US deportation flights to land and refuel in Shannon Airport en route to Israel on 21 January and 1 February 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11237/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Convention on International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944, and its associated annexes, established the framework for the operation of international civil aviation. Both Ireland and the United States are contracting parties to this Convention.
Article 5 of this Convention provides for the right of air operators of contracting parties to operate non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes (e.g., refuelling) in the territory of the other contracting parties.
This provision is provided for in Irish law in Article 3 of the Air Services Authorisation Order 1993.
Stops at Irish airports, by private and commercial charters, which are technical stops for non-traffic purposes (i.e. not picking up or setting down passengers), do not require prior authorisation from my Department.
My Department had no prior knowledge of the operation of these reported flights.
247. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has a role in regulating horse drawn sulkies on public roads; if his Department is considering any measures to ensure the protection of the public from such activity; if he intends to review such activity in light of the recent updating of legislation governing the use and seizure of scramblers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11277/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the current regulatory status with respect to the use of so-called horse drawn sulkies on public roads; if he believes the current position is robust enough to ensure the protection of the public from such activity; if he intends to review this position in light of the recent updating of legislation governing the use and seizure of scramblers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11276/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 268 together.
In relation to on-road sulky racing, under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser. Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for Gardaí to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.
All road users are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána and participants in sulky racing are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races. As the Deputy will know, in many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts. There are presently no plans to legislate for sulky racing specifically.
Separate to the above, under the Road Traffic Act 1961, mechanically propelled vehicles such as scramblers can only be legally driven on public roads if they are registered and have a registration plate. Most scramblers are designed for off-road use only and are unregistered, and are therefore illegal for use on the road. In the absence of registration, a vehicle cannot be taxed.
Exercising powers made by regulation under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, An Garda Síochána has the power to seize vehicles being driven on public roads that have not been taxed or lack insurance, or where the driver does not hold the relevant driving licence. Once seized, An Garda Síochána has the power to dispose of a seized vehicle six weeks after the date of detention, provided two weeks' notice of the intention to dispose is given.
Building on these pre-existing powers and provisions, the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 includes three key measures to further tackle dangerous scrambler use:
• Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
• Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána were granted new powers to seize scramblers being driven dangerously in any location;
• Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
These three provisions are a comprehensive package of measures and were commenced by Statutory Instrument 392/2023 on 28 July 2023. Since commencement, off-road scramblers are no longer just illegal for use in public places - it is illegal to drive them dangerously anywhere, even on private land. More importantly, An Garda Síochána has full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, even where they have the reasonable belief that the vehicle will be driven dangerously, and they can enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact.
While the commencement of the third provision created regulation-making powers to restrict certain classes of vehicles, any such regulations will be incremental on the existing restrictions outlined above and no regulations have yet been made.
As the Deputy is aware, on 4 February, the Cabinet approved the preparation of regulations to fully ban the use of scramblers in any public place. It is my intention that regulations will be made to close any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings and implement a total ban on all scrambler use in any public place. I intend that these regulations will be introduced as a matter of urgency within the coming weeks.
248. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to urgently examine a case (details supplied) and allow for disabled parking permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabled parking permits are available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, as well as to those who are registered blind. The scheme is administered by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Neither I nor my Department have any role in the day-to-day administration of the scheme or the processing of permits. Accordingly, the Department cannot intervene in individual cases and is not in a position to accelerate the processing of any application.
249. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the legal use of fully taxed and insured dual sport bikes; if he is conscious of the need to ensure that these legally compliant vehicles are differentiated as part of the process of legislating for the ban of scrambler bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11312/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the Road Traffic Act 1961, mechanically propelled vehicles such as scramblers can only be legally driven on public roads if they are registered and have a registration plate. Most scramblers are designed for off-road use only and are unregistered, and are therefore illegal for use on the road. In the absence of registration, a vehicle cannot be taxed.
On 4 February, the Cabinet approved the preparation of regulations to fully ban the use of scramblers in any public place. I intend that these regulations will be introduced as a matter of urgency within the coming weeks.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Attorney General to develop the appropriate definition of scrambler to be used in the regulations to ensure that it does not inadvertently impose restrictions on other types of motorcycle that are not intended for increased regulation.
250. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with animal welfare organisations in relation to their specific concerns related to sulky racing on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether existing legislation is sufficient to address specific concerns related to sulky racing on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11319/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which relevant local authority approval, as the road authority, must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I am aware, though, that the offence applies only to the organiser, and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser.
Enforcing the Roads Act in matters where a road race takes place unlawfully without the permission of the roads authority is a matter of enforcement for An Garda Síochána. In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for Gardaí to enforce under section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.
All road users are subject to road traffic legislation which is enforced by An Garda Síochána and participants in such races are liable for any road traffic offences they may commit during the races. As the Deputy will know, in many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and in some cases driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts.
Animal welfare issues in relation to sulky racing are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
252. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide a significant increase in funding for long overdue roads projects in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11586/26]
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.
National roads allocations for 2026 will be announced in the near future.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In 2025, Kerry County Council received funding of €35,808,971 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network of which over €28m of expenditure was for road protection and renewal.
The 2025 allocation included funding for three Strategic Regional and Local Roads Scheme; the Tralee Northern Relief Road; the Killarney Strategic Links Project; and the Kenmare Relief Road Phase 2; and seven Specific Improvement Grant Schemes including: the R556 Dale Road; Clash Cross to Ballymullen Road; and the Tralee to Fenit Realignment Phase 3.
Regional and local road grant allocations for 2026 will be notified to local authorities in the near future.
253. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Swords to city centre core bus corridor. [11138/26]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor in Dublin.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently published its NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, setting out indicative timelines for major transport projects, including the five BusConnects programmes. Indicative timelines indicate some BusConnects construction components will extend beyond 2030.
Steady progress has been made in developing and implementing BusConnects in recent years.
In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of BusConnects comprises Core Bus Corridor (CBC) schemes. An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved all 12 Core Bus Corridor schemes. However, legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to six CBCs, including Swords to City Centre CBC.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for BusConnects Dublin, 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.
254. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the implementation of the A spine of the BusConnects programme in Dublin. [11139/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities, including Dublin. BusConnects is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Following on from three rounds of public consultation which concluded in 2020, new bus services in Dublin have been delivered, with the first seven phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. The most recent phase, Phase 7, which commenced in October 2026, saw the introduction of the F Spine connecting Finglas to Tallaght.
The redesign of the entire network, including the A Spine, connecting Swords to Rathmines/Terenure via the City Centre, will continue in the coming years subject to funding and/or resource availability.
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 working days.
255. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update including a timeline of the Jamestown roundabout scheme in Finglas; and the allocated funding to the scheme. [11140/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
256. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding upgrades to a bus service in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 this case Go-Ahead.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
257. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the position with the provision of train services to a town in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11144/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
