Written Answers Nos. 258-277
258. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport his views on the report prepared by TII regarding the M7/M9 junction; the actions recommended in the report; the timelines involved; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11145/26]
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 operation and management 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. I understand that the final report on the M7/M9 junction has not yet been received by TII but it is expected that this will be completed in the near future. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to the M7/M9 junction.
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.
259. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider additional signage and advertising to inform better driver behaviour on motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/26]
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 operation and management 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 in relation to proposed signage and advertising on motorways.
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.
260. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if the Government will work with all State agencies to provide a real time and comprehensive transport app to inform commuters of transport issues, times and all related matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, as 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including technology projects.
Public transport passenger apps are about having information available to people so that they can make the best use of our public transport system, especially those who may be new to it or have difficulty finding the best way of making their journey.
The NTA is responsible for several mobile applications, including TFI Leap Top Up, the TFI Go mobile ticketing app, TFI Anseo Demand Responsive Application, and the TFI Live mobile application, which is used for journey planning and for the provision of real-time information to customers. In all cases, the NTA works extensively with the supplier to deliver the best possible result.
The NTA has collaborated with other transport authorities on app design. As an example, the NTA has worked closely with Transport for Scotland on a redesign of TFI Live. Unfortunately, progress has been slower than anticipated because of a lack of mobile application development capacity with the source supplier. While the TFI Live application does function and does present journey planning and real-time data to customers, the NTA is currently investigating options to expedite improvements to the application to improve the customer experience.
One project that will produce improved quality journey data to the TFI Live app is Next Generation Automatic Vehicle Location, which replaces five old Automatic Vehicle Location systems with a new centralised solution, to provide higher quality and consistent data outputs to the TFI Live mobile app. This project is going into pilot in March 2026, with full roll-out taking approximately 12-18 months, which I look forward to.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
261. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport for details of active travel initiatives funded by the National Transport Authority in Waterford city and county since 2020; the initial cost estimate for each project; the outturn cost of each project and for those still unfinished, the latest cost projection, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11172/26]
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.
262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a bus shelter could be provided for the town of Ballybunion, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11173/26]
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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
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 days.
263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if there is a canteen in his Department headquarters; and if the Minister can provide assurances that all meat sold or provided in that canteen is of Irish origin. [11191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that canteen facilities are available in the Department of Transport headquarters. I can further provide assurance that all meat sold or provided through these facilities is of Irish origin. The catering vendor supplies full traceability documentation for the origin of all produce, and all meat is sourced exclusively from Ireland and from Irish suppliers.
264. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the steps which are being taken to safeguard the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port particularly in light of recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the last time a full structural examination of the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the plans to upgrade the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port; his plans to carry out the repairs that are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 265 and 266 together.
Safeguarding and structural repairs of assets of State-owned commercial port companies such as the Great South Wall in Dublin Port are, in the first instance, direct operational matters for the State-owned commercial port companies, in this case Dublin Port Company (DPC).
My Department maintains strong communication channels with the State-owned commercial ports at all times, and I am kept well informed on all such significant matters.
The Great South Wall is regularly monitored by DPC, as it is a national monument and is of critical importance to the safe navigation of vessels to and from the port.
DPC has advised that the significant increase in the severity of storms, along with the resultant increase in wave height and strength impacting our coastlines and breakwaters in recent years, has led to deterioration in certain sections of the rock armour revetment protecting the Great South Wall. This is particularly evident at the Poolbeg Lighthouse section, where losses of rock armour stone have occurred due to displacement and stripping away during storm events.
In December 2025, Storm Bram caused significant further damage to this section of the wall, leaving large voids in the rock armour revetment. DPC advised my Department that, upon inspection, it took immediate action to undertake emergency repair works. These works require the mobilisation of specialist floating marine plant and the sourcing of replacement larger rock armour stones—each sized between six and nine tonnes.
This specialist marine plant is currently mobilised onsite and in the process of transporting 5,000 tonnes of rock armour, sourced from a quarry in Arklow, by barge to Dublin Port to commence the repair works. The works are expected to take four to five weeks, subject to weather conditions.
In addition to the emergency repairs outlined above, and to future-proof the Great South Wall against further sea-level impacts and increasing storm severity, DPC has advised my Department that it has initiated plans to undertake significant upgrade works to the rock armour revetment along the full length of the Great South Wall.
This upgrade project will be delivered over several phases, commencing with the highest-risk zones identified through recent monitoring and engineering assessments. The upgrade works will involve the placement of an additional layer of significantly larger rock armour stones—each between 15 and 20 tonnes—sourced specifically from Norway.
The proposed upgrade works will require several consents, including planning permission from Dublin City Council and a Maritime Area Consent from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), along with engagement with National Monuments and the National Parks and Wildlife Service within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Upgrade works are projected to commence in 2028.
DPC has advised that the last full structural examination of the Great South Wall was carried out in November and December 2025, and that such examinations are conducted on an annual basis.
267. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport when repair works on the N65 near Heathlawn will commence; when the temporary stop-go light system will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11238/26]
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 operation and management 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 in relation to the N65 near Heathlawn.
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.
269. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his views on safety concerns related to the makes of cars available for use on Irish roads; and whether he plans to take measures to address them (details supplied). [11295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that EU Regulation 2018/858 requires any new vehicle sold in the EU market to have EU type-approval.
Type-approval is the process applied by national authorities to certify that a vehicle model meets all EU safety, environmental and conformity of production requirements, ensuring that new vehicles are manufactured to prescribed safety and environmental standards.
If all the relevant requirements are met, a national type-approval authority (in Ireland, this is the National Standards Authority of Ireland ) grants an EU vehicle type approval to the manufacturer, which authorises the sale of the vehicle type in the EU.
The system is based on the mutual recognition of approvals granted by Member States (that is to say, once a vehicle is certified once, it is accepted everywhere in the EU).
Every vehicle produced is accompanied by a certificate of conformity, in which the manufacturer certifies that the vehicle corresponds to the approved type. On the basis of this document, the vehicle can be registered anywhere in Europe. The type-approval system means that Ireland cannot refuse to register a vehicle which has been type-approved without being in breach of our obligations under EU law to uphold the free movement of goods in the EU.
The RSA has been appointed as the Automotive Market Surveillance Authority for Ireland in respect of all motor vehicles. This role is to ensure that new vehicles and their components meet with type-approval requirements under EU Regulation 2018/858 (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R0858) and EU Regulation 168/2023. This applies to health, safety, the environment and any other aspect of public interest protection. On this basis, I have referred this question to the RSA for further reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
270. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that a bus stop located on the Old Bog Road, Kilcock, County Kildare, was removed in or around September 2024 without any apparent public consultation; if his Department, the NTA or TFI approved or authorised this removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11332/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport whether Kildare County Council consulted with the NTA, TFI, or Bus Éireann prior to the removal of the bus stop on the Old Bog Road, Kilcock; if any written records, correspondence, meeting minutes or approvals exist in relation to this decision; the decision-making process that led to the removal of the stop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the total cost of public works previously undertaken at the Old Bog Road, Kilcock, County Kildare bus stop location, including the construction of a dedicated bus lay-by by Kildare County Council; whether this infrastructure is now unused following the removal of the stop; whether he will comment on the implications for value for money and the effective use of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11334/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure the reinstatement of the bus stop at the Old Bog Road, Kilcock, County Kildare; whether his Department will engage directly with the NTA, TFI, Bus Éireann and Kildare County Council to resolve this matter; the expected timeline for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11335/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if he has assessed the road safety implications arising from the removal of the bus stop on the Old Bog Road, Kilcock, County Kildare particularly for secondary school students who must now walk along a narrow, unlit and heavily trafficked road with limited verge space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11336/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 271, 272, 273 and 274 together.
As 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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
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.
275. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport whether any road safety audit has been undertaken since the removal of the bus stop on the Old Bog Road, Kilcock, County Kildare; if he will intervene in light of the accident history on this stretch of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11337/26]
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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
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.
276. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the amount expended by his Department and by each agency for which he 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [11360/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport uses paid media advertising to engage with the public on a range of matters, including encouraging sustainable travel choices in line with our Climate Action Plan targets for emissions reduction; informing the public about road safety measures such as speed limit reduction; and the promotion of public consultations etc.
My Department places advertising across a range of platforms as required, including TV, out-of-home/outdoor, national and local print, national and local radio, digital, social media, search engine optimisation, video on demand, digital audio and streaming, and paid partnerships.
All forms of advertising are monitored in terms of performance along key metrics, with post-campaign analyses undertaken per campaign to measure effectiveness, value for money, reach and engagement, in order to ensure return on investment for all campaigns, with these insights used to inform future campaign iterations.
In 2025, my Department spent €1,451,462 on advertising promotion services, whereby media space is delivered by a media buying agency contracted on a Government of Ireland procurement framework.
In 2026, it is expected that my Department will continue the Your Journey Counts carbon emissions reduction campaign, along with other campaigns promoting and encouraging a modal shift to active travel on our Greenways, promotion of electric vehicle uptake via State grants and support schemes, improvements in digital driver and vehicle services, public transport passenger safety, etc. It is not possible to provide a specific forecast of this planned activity at this time as budget allocations are being agreed.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to agencies has been referred to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
277. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport the current escalation pathway for when flights crews note non-cooperative aerial observations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11366/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative framework for the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation to which Ireland and all other EU Member States adhere to is established by Regulation (EU) 376/2014. The Regulation requires Member States to establish both a mandatory occurrence reporting system (for certain categories of occurrences which may represent a significant risk to aviation safety) and a voluntary reporting system to facilitate the collection of details of occurrences and safety-related information not subject to mandatory reporting.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 sets out the list of classifying occurrences to be mandatorily reported pursuant to Regulation (EU) 376/2014.
Under Regulation (EU) 376/2014 aviation personnel, including pilots, are responsible for reporting safety occurrences to their organisation and additionally may elect to report directly to the competent authority. In Ireland, the competent authority under the occurrence reporting legislation is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The occurrence reporting regulation is implemented by organisations via the Safety Management Systems (SMS) as required under Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. Organisations must submit reports to the ECCAIRS mandatory occurrence reporting system.
ECCAIRS is a digital platform managed by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supporting Member States’ aviation authorities in collecting, sharing and analysing their safety information.
Reports submitted to ECCAIRS are then followed up as appropriate by IAA inspectors, who may seek further information if necessary.
Regulation (EU) 376/2014 includes specific provisions regarding confidentiality of occurrence reports, protection of source and use of data. This ensures, for example, that the name of the reporter is protected, and whether it is a mandatory report or a voluntary report. The protection of safety data, safety information and related sources is essential to ensure their continued availability, since the use of safety data and safety information for purposes other than maintaining or improving safety may inhibit the future availability of such data and information, with a significant adverse effect on safety.
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), sometimes referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or anomalous aerial observations (AAOs) are not, in general, subject to mandatory reporting requirements where those observations do not otherwise fall under the list of classifying occurrences set out in the Implementing Regulation. This is in line with the approach taken in other EU Member States and best practice globally.
