Written Answers Nos. 180-200
180. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the reason people travelling from Heuston Station to County Mayo are given very short notice about which platform their train is departing from, meaning that despite arriving early to the station they have to run to the platform to board their train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
181. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken in response to the delays and cost overruns of Irish Rail’s traffic management system project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the National Train Control Centre, or NTCC.
Pending this more detailed reply, a three-month software testing period is now ongoing. Decisions on software acceptance and future commissioning phases will be taken in mid-July and it would be premature to discuss schedule and cost implications for the project in advance of this.
The National Train Control Centre building was completed in November 2022, on time and within budget despite the significant disruption to the construction sector brought about by the COVID pandemic. While the building today houses some signalling operations and Iarnród Éireann staff, as well as approximately 100 personnel of An Garda Síochána overseeing communications in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, bringing the centre into full operation has been delayed by slower than projected progress in developing and rolling out the new traffic management system, which is the software that integrates a range of complex railway systems, such as signalling and communications.
Taxpayers and train users are rightly concerned by this delay. In my capacity as Minister, I have met with Indra, the contractor delivering the traffic management system, last August and again in January of this year. On both occasions, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the rate of progress and emphasised the importance of bringing the project to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.
A re-baselined programme was agreed between Iarnród Éireann, the NTA and Indra, in November 2024, breaking the project into eight discrete commissioning phases to improve deliverability and realise benefits incrementally. The contractor delivered software to Iarnród Éireann in mid-April to support the planned implementation of Commissioning Phase 1 on the Rosslare line in early 2027.
Finally, it is important to note that, from a railway safety perspective, contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact of delays on the TMS. In order to safeguard the signalling resilience of the rail network, I approved an additional allocation of €5.7 million in May to enable Iarnród Éireann to commence additional signalling works to increase operational resilience within the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
183. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the establishment of a public transport security force; when he expects this force to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I can assure you that my Department is actively progressing the necessary steps to deliver on the commitment to establish a Transport Security Force, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Considerable progress has been made in recent months, and this work remains a top priority for all parties involved.
This work centres on developing a well-considered and informed approach to identifying the most suitable model for the Transport Security Force. In this regard, a proposed model is currently under detailed consideration, with all key stakeholders fully engaged, including the NTA, operators, trade unions, passenger groups, An Garda Síochána, and the Department of Justice.
In addition, my Department and the NTA are actively progressing the legislative proposals required to deliver on the Government’s commitment to establish a Transport Security Force, and the introduction of this Force will require the development of primary legislation, which can have a significant lead time, but it will be expedited, with a view to making progress on its foundations during 2026.
In the meantime, we are committed to delivering a safe and secure public transport system, and we will maintain momentum on all fronts until the Transport Security Force is in place.
184. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the timeline for the re-opening of the Western rail corridor to Claremorris; the works to date; if rolling stock has been ordered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45627/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, including on the Dublin to Galway line a second platforms at Clara and Woodlawn stations. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published be my Department in November 2025.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan includes funding to commence construction of this reinstatement project, subject to any necessary planning or other approvals. Early work is already underway in terms of clearing vegetation on the line. Iarnród Éireann have also appointed a multi-disciplinary consultant to prepare appraisal documents required for the scheme.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
185. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider providing for driver licence renewal services at the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) test centre in Dundalk, County Louth, in order to improve accessibility for constituents in the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46309/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service. This includes all service and operational matters.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on efforts to allow returning Irish emigrants with full US driving licences to transfer to an Irish licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44957/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. Licence formats, vehicle categories and driving test standards are all set at EU level. As all Member States test drivers to the same standards, there can be mutual recognition of driving licences.
Someone who is resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU licence to drive a vehicle on public roads here. Ireland provides two pathways for holders of third-country licences to gain Irish licences: direct exchange where a bilateral agreement exists, or a streamlined process for experienced drivers (holding a licence for 2 years or more), including reduced mandatory training requirements and exemption from the 6-month waiting period for a driving test.
In considering whether to enter into licence exchange agreements with non-EU states, the licensing authorities on each side compare the two licensing regimes, so that each may be satisfied that they are compatible. As driver licensing protects public safety by ensuring that people licensed to drive on our roads have reached recognised standards, the most important element in reaching a bilateral agreement is that the other jurisdiction's licensing regime applies standards for obtaining a licence which are comparable with our own. Where these standards are not met, no agreement is possible, no matter how desirable an agreement with that jurisdiction may be. For Ireland, this task is carried out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level, so there are 50 licensing systems with widely varying standards and road safety performance, many with levels of road fatalities significantly worse than most EU countries. Agreement with any one state would mean taking into account the exchange relationships between that state and the other 49.
One of the commitments in 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 a licence exchange agreement 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, the RSA is currently engaging with New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, to undertake technical reviews with a view to assessing the feasibility of licence exchange agreements with those states.
187. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is undertaking any work to encourage the return of catering services on trains connecting Dublin and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45643/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
189. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport to outline the measures being taken to improve the reliability of the C4 and W6 Dublin Bus services in Celbridge, in light of recent cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46310/26]
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 queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for both Dublin Bus and the NTA respectively, I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to both for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
191. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider funding a local link service connecting Arklow to Greystones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46304/26]
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 and monitoring 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.
192. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport he and his Department support a four-track solution for the northern commuter line; whether he plans to make funding available in the lifetime of this Government to advance the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45937/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. This includes reinstating a passing loop at Mosney and increasing the use of a passing loop at Skerries, which will support greater service resilience on the Northern rail line, by allowing the Enterprise, cross border rail service to pass slower DART and Commuter trains. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under Enterprise Fleet Replacement Programme.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes, both of which are on Ireland’s TEN-T Core Network, and the reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
193. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis. [45901/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to my response to his earlier question on this matter, Parliamentary Question no. 128 of 30 April 2026.
Any requests for a meeting or other similar engagement should be directed to my private office, where it can be appropriately considered.
194. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Transport the level of regional and local road funding allocated to County Clare in each of the years 2023 to 2025; whether this allocation is adequate given the extent of the road network in the county; the funding that has been confirmed for 2026; his views on whether the allocation formula should be amended to adequately account for network extent and rural settlement patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2026, €718 million was allocated, through the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, for improvement and maintenance, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal. This will facilitate an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works.
Funding under this grant programme is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In the main protection and renewal grant categories, that basis is the length of the regional and local roads network within a local authority's area of responsibility. It is not envisaged to change this system.
Clare County Council was allocated €31,788,700, with €26,628,700 of this for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads.
Full details of the 2026 allocations are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-for-transport-announce-over-15-billion-for-national-regional-and-local-roads/.
Details of the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, specifically the allocations and payments to local authorities, are available in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets on the Oireachtas Online Public Access Catalogue: http://opac.oireachtas.ie. The 2026 allocations booklet will be lodged shortly.
195. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of safety cameras that will be installed per year as part of the National Safety Camera Strategy; where they will be located; if this has not been determined, to outline the reasons; and a timeline for publication. [45500/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnforcement of road traffic offences, such as speeding, is the primary responsibility of An Garda Síochána. This includes enforcement of speeding laws through the use of cameras.
To assist An Garda Siochána in these activities I published the National Safety Camera Strategy on 29 April. The Strategy aligns with Programme for Government Commitments to expand the use of safety cameras across the road network and also delivers on part one of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan.
The Strategy provides the framework for the increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences. It focuses on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future.
A partnership approach will be adopted for deployment and enforcement between An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA). The strategy proposes that TII takes responsibility for the management of fixed and average speed cameras, in partnership with An Garda Síochána, who will continue to be responsible for the enforcement of camera-detected speed offences. The NTA will assume the primary responsibility - both management and enforcement functions - for urban traffic management offences. This will provide an effective structure through which the most progress can be made on the deployment of road safety camera systems in the near-term and was developed by an inter-agency working group led by TII.
A Camera Enforcement Oversight Group (CEOG) has been established to deliver the strategy, chaired by Anne Shaw, the CEO of the National Transport Authority and comprising senior leaders from AGS, NTA, TII, RSA, the Courts Service and the Local Authority sector. The inaugural meeting of the Group took place on 16 June. This Group will report to the Road Safety Leadership Group on its progress.
It should be noted that camera enforcement has been increasing. Since late 2024, An Garda Síochána with the assistance of TII and local authorities has installed three additional average speed camera zones and nine static camera locations. This means that there are now five average safety cameras and nine static safety cameras in operation across the network. This compliments 9,000 hours of AGS GoSafe monitoring carried out on our roads each month.
196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will consider introducing additional Local Link routes in Cavan and Monaghan; if such additional services will be introduced in 2026 and 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/26]
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 and monitoring 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.
197. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the response his Department has received from local authorities with regard to the development of localised operational rules for drones under the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. [46093/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems acknowledges the important role local authorities will play in the integration of UAS technology into communities. The National UAS Policy Framework Monitoring Group was established earlier this year to support and monitor the overall progress of the implementation of the Policy Framework. Its membership comprises representatives of key stakeholders involved in leading and supporting implementation of Policy Framework actions, including a representative from the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). My department has been engaging with the LGMA representative on the Monitoring Group to further engage with representatives of local authorities in relation to the regulation of UAS, the role of the Irish Aviation Authority, and the actions of Policy Framework.
The Policy Framework contains actions to assist the planning community and local authorities to manage integration of UAS technology into communities, and how to take local concerns on board. One such action is the Irish Aviation Authority supporting local authorities and planners to acquire the necessary aviation knowledge about UAS technology, regulation and oversight. The IAA is providing this ongoing support where required.
The IAA and officials from my department are holding an information session with the National Strategic Planning Unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss how we might integrate and engage better on the implementation of the Policy Framework with regards to UAS in our towns and cities. My department is continuing to engage with local authorities on these matters.
198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned that lack of grid capacity is preventing faster electrification of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46091/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services.
I note that with regard to the Deputy's specific questions regarding the electrical grid, investment in the grid to accommodate individual projects is a matter for EirGrid and ESB-Networks. The NTA has engaged with these bodies on issues such as power supply, and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct, detailed reply in relation to this engagement. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
199. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with the NTA and Irish Rail regarding the disruption to DART, train and Luas services arising from planned maintenance and engineering works over the recent bank holiday weekends in Dublin; the steps being taken to ensure that future works are coordinated as to minimise disruption to passengers; whether alternative approaches to service closures are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46294/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the rail network, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann, while in the case of the Luas network, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) handle day-to-day Luas operations, including maintenance.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA and to TII for a direct, detailed response. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Pending a more detailed response, I note that Bank Holiday weekends are typically chosen to undertake projects of significant scale as the the extra weekend day gives 76 continuous hours of access to infrastructure, and allows maintenance works to achieve more progress more efficiently, while avoiding impacts on weekday commuters on days when the railway is busiest.
I would also like to note that, in the case of DART and rail services, no further major engineering works are planned for the weekends over the remainder of the summer.
