Emer Currie
Ceist:421. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department is considering proposals to address a barrier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad Network
Ceisteanna (421, 424)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:424. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the Irish- US Drivers Licence Exchange Campaign Report examining the barriers faced by thousands of Irish Emigrants returning home and American citizens working in Ireland as they seek to acquire an Irish Licence, his plans to engage with the three major recommendations contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35203/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 424 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that I have noted the recommendations of the Irish-US Driver's Licence Exchange Campaign Committee, as outlined in its recent report.
Someone who is resident in Ireland must hold an Irish or other EU/EEA driving licence to drive here. While a visitor to Ireland can use a non-EU/EEA licence, provided it is current and valid, on taking up normal residence here they must exchange their licence or apply for an Irish licence.
To ensure the safety of Irish road users, it is vital that Ireland only provides for licence exchange from a non-EU/EEA jurisdiction through a licence exchange agreement, made following a detailed examination of that country's licensing and testing regime, and engagement with the relevant licensing authority is required in order to conduct such an examination. In addition, where an agreement is reached, formal engagement is required with the other country during the application process to verify the licence. Bilateral agreements ensure that both of these steps may be undertaken effectively.
Entering into a licence exchange agreement with a non-EU jurisdiction is not a straightforward process and reaching an agreement is not a matter of political will. The core principle in considering an agreement is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users.
In considering a bilateral agreement, the most important element is ensuring that the other jurisdiction applies standards for obtaining a licence which are comparable with our own. Where they do not meet these standards, no agreement is possible, no matter how desirable an agreement with that jurisdiction may be. From the Irish side, the Road Safety Authority has the task of conducting the independent technical assessment of comparing the two licensing regimes.
Irish licences are normally issued for 10 years, though they may be issued for a shorter period in certain circumstances, such as on health grounds. Under the Road Traffic (Licencing of Drivers) Regulations 2006, as amended, someone who is resident in Ireland may apply to renew their Irish licence within 10 years of its expiry.
People with a non-exchangeable licence, who come to reside in Ireland, must obtain an Irish licence to drive here. However, a person with a full but non-exchangeable licence can avail of a shorter learning to drive process (6 Essential Driver Training lessons instead of 12 and no minimum period of 6 months before taking a driving test), in recognition of their previous driving experience.
One of the commitments of the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with 7 of the 10 Canadian provinces, with a proposed agreement under way at present with Nova Scotia. Under the Programme for Government commitment, the RSA is currently engaging with the states of New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, in order to undertake technical reviews with a view to recommending whether to enter into exchange agreements. Once each review process is complete, the RSA will make a recommendation to my Department.
It should be noted that the new EU Driving Licence Directive, 2025/2205, allows the European Commission to enter into EU-wide licence exchange agreements on behalf of member states. This process is expected to commence by 2029 and will provide an alternative pathway to pursuing licence exchange arrangements with non-EU jurisdictions.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (422)
Niall Collins
Ceist:422. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if this matter can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/26]
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 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 regarding archaeological works on the N69 Limerick to Foynes project.
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.
Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 416.
Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 421.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (425)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:425. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport the progress on the commitments to allow flexible pickups on Local Link and other bus routes in rural communities, as appropriate, enhancing service accessibility, as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35217/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 services, and working with Local Authorities to agree additional stopping locations. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (426)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:426. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport the progress on the commitment to work to integrate Local Link transport routes with health services to improve access for individuals seeking care, as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35218/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (NHRSDP) 2025-2030 in September 2025. The commitments in the Programme for Government relating to accessible and integrated public transport for disabled people, including in rural areas, have been incorporated into the NHRSDP.
Action 22.6 in the NHRSDP commits to "Progressively scale up and expand TFI Local Link networks, including the existing integrated transport pilot in Leitrim." The Action is assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with support from the Department of Transport, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Health and TFI Local Link. Discussions are underway at present on how best to progress this Action taking accounts of lessons learnt from the Leitrim pilot and maximising available resources. That pilot was designed to meet the needs of mainstream ‘open’ public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing ‘closed’ non-emergency health care services in Leitrim.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (427)
Paula Butterly
Ceist:427. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to respond to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to any measures being taken to provide upgraded and enhanced public transport services in the North Dundalk area, including increased capacity, improved frequency, and accessibility improvements; the locations where such upgrades have been delivered or are planned in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35235/26]
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 services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In this regard the performance of all public transport operators is closely monitored by the NTA under their contractual arrangements. These contracts allow for not just the monitoring of performance and the publication of annual performance reports, but importantly, allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
The NTA regularly meets with each transport operator to review performance of the routes under contract with the NTA and agree necessary interventions aimed at improving performance, which are implemented subject to operational readiness and the availability of resources, including buses, drivers and funding.
Further, under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the NTA for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Bus Éireann, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (428)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:428. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the reason two-car regional units are still being allocated to the Limerick to Galway train route which is one of the busiest evening peak services on the corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35238/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; 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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (429)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:429. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the plans which exist to provide higher-capacity rolling stock on the Limerick–Galway route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35239/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; 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.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (430)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:430. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the reason 22000-class intercity units have not been permanently assigned to peak Atlantic Corridor services despite repeated overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35240/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; 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.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (431)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:431. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the immediate measures that can be taken to address the chronic overcrowding and resultant health and safety issues on the 18:05 service from Limerick to Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35241/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; 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.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (432, 433, 434, 435)
John Clendennen
Ceist:432. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the countries/states that are currently being considered for addition to the list of designated recognised states for the purpose of driving licence exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Clendennen
Ceist:433. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport if the state of New Jersey is currently being considered for addition to the list of designated recognised states for the purpose of driving licence exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35259/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Clendennen
Ceist:434. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the number of foreign driving licence exchange applications which were made by their country/state of origin, in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Clendennen
Ceist:435. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the average processing time for the exchange of foreign driving licences, broken down by licence category such as those from EU/EEA member states or recognised states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 433, 434 and 435 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for examining the driving licensing and testing regimes of other jurisdictions in relation to considering driving licence exchange agreements. Six jurisdictions are currently under consideration for a possible licence exchange agreement with Ireland.
The Programme for Government contains commitments regarding the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, in particular considering licence exchange agreements with Australia, Canada and the USA. Ireland has agreements with Australia and with 7 of the 10 Canadian provinces.
Ireland does not currently have agreements with any US state. The Department is exploring options for individual US states, as US driver licensing is regulated at state, not federal, level. Three US states, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey have been chosen for consideration, given the size of their Irish-born populations. The RSA has contacted those licensing authorities to engage in a technical review of their driving licensing and testing frameworks. That process has commenced with New York and New Jersey
Outside the US, the RSA is engaging with three jurisdictions: Nova Scotia (a Canadian province), North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. A licence exchange agreement with Moldova was reached in April 2026.
The technical assessment to prepare for a possible agreement is carried out by the RSA and its counterpart licencing authority. Owing to the technical nature of the review process, the RSA can only conduct a limited number of reviews at a time. As Minister, I cannot intervene in or review proceedings while they are ongoing.
The data requested is held by the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred these questions to the Authority. If the Deputy does not receive a response in ten days, please contact my office.
Irish licence exchange agreements
• Australia*
• Canada, British Columbia* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Canada, Manitoba* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Canada, New Brunswick* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Canada, Ontario* (cars only)
• Canada, Saskatchewan* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Guernsey
• Isle Of Man
• Japan
• Jersey
• Moldova
• New Zealand* (cars & motorbikes only)
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Korea
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Taiwan (cars & motorbikes only)
• United Kingdom
* Australia, Canadian provinces and New Zealand: restricted to automatic transmission unless an applicant can prove they were tested in a manual transmission vehicle.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 433 answered with Question No. 432.
Question No. 434 answered with Question No. 432.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 432.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (436)
John Clendennen
Ceist:436. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Connecting Ireland route 826 which will service Mullingar, Kinnegad, Edenderry, Clonbullogue, Bracknagh, Portarlington, Monasterevin and Kildare village; the expected commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link services. 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.
National Transport Authority
Ceisteanna (437, 438)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:437. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has engaged with Iarnród Éireann regarding the alignment of the proposed L36 and L37 BusConnects services with rail timetables at Midleton Station; the analysis that has been carried out in determining the proposed frequency and scheduling of these routes; whether this analysis will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLiam Quaide
Ceist:438. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if a dedicated public consultation process is planned in relation to the operational details of the L36 and L37 services serving Ballycotton, Whitegate and surrounding areas and, if not, the rationale for same; the engagement that has taken place with local communities, businesses and commuters in East Cork regarding the design and rollout of these routes; whether the proposed L37 route replacing the existing 241 service will include a seven-day service including Sundays; the minimum service frequency envisaged; whether the proposed Q1 2027 rollout timeline under the BusConnects Cork programme allows for revisions based on stakeholder and public feedback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35307/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 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 BusConnects Cork.
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.
Pending this detailed response, I note BusConnects is the NTA’s plan to greatly improve bus services in all five of our cities. It is a key part of the Government's policies to improve public transport and address climate change.
In October 2025 Cabinet approval was secured for BusConnects Cork. With that decision, the Government issued Approval Gate 1 approval in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, allowing the three Sustainable Transport Corridor schemes to enter the planning system. These schemes will provide for a total of 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors.
In June 2022, following public consultation, the new BusConnects Cork network was published. It aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented on a phased basis in the coming years. Implementation will be subject to funding and resources available.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 438 answered with Question No. 437.
Departmental Projects
Ceisteanna (439)
Joe Neville
Ceist:439. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including road, public transport, and active travel infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under their aegis (including the NTA, TII, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann), which have been completed on time and within budget in Kildare in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport I hold overall policy responsibility for transport projects across the sector, however the actual delivery of those projects is generally managed by the relevant agency directly. Additionally, capital projects can vary in scale, consisting of multiple small deliverables across several regions, in addition to the major single-deliverable projects such as Metrolink or a major bypass for example.
As a result, to provide the information requested by the Deputy I refer the deputy to the Government's coordinated Project 2040 tracker for major regional projects for the Deputy's information, as well as refer the deputy's question to the agencies responsible for delivery in the Kildare region.
The Project 2040 tracker is publicly available via gov.ie/2040 and provides both a searchable map and annual reports on progress across the entire NDP and Project 2040 programmes.
For deliverables which are not specifically captured within the reporting on Project 2040, I will refer the Deputy's question to TII, the NTA, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann for consideration and answer. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 440 answered with Question No. 420.