Written Answers Nos. 218-228
218. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the protocols which are in place when a train is late departing its departure station; the way in which the information regarding the delay is communicated to the various stations where that train will subsequently be late arriving and to the other trains using the same line, and to the mechanisms operating level crossings around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including any internal communication and the operation of level crossings, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
Given Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
219. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Athenry relief road project. [67226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants.
To date, three of the four sections of the Athenry relief road have been constructed and are operational, with the most recent section opened on the 11 September 2026.
The Department has provided funding to Galway County Council under the strategic regional and local road grant programme to undertake surveys to allow the development of the preliminary design, including aspects of the bridge works required to facilitate the final section of the relief road. This work has been progressed in conjunction with Irish Rail.
The current proposal indicates that the existing bridge over the final road section may have to be raised and there may be additional impacts on other structures. The cost implications on the final section of the Athenry relief road and any possible impacts on the business case for the scheme will need to be assessed in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework.
My Department continues to work closely with Galway County Council in order to determine how best to take the project forward while also ensuring the scheme is cost effective, delivers value for money, and meets the requirements of the Transport Appraisal Framework.
220. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the public service obligation, PSO, programme discussions in relation increasing the 132 bus service and improving the reliability of the service. [67656/26]
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.
221. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined any additional infrastructural road safety measures on motorways following a number of incidents in recent months, including fatal collisions involving motorists driving the wrong way down slip roads and motorways. [67643/26]
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 technical measures to improve road safety on motorways.
The Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
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.
222. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to ensure that all public transport is fully accessible for people with disabilities. [66652/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
I am fully committed to improving accessibility across our public transport system, in line with the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030. Improving accessibility involves three main strands:
Embedding Universal Design in all new infrastructure and fleet,
Addressing legacy accessibility deficits, particularly in older, Victorian-era train stations, and
Providing supports that enable independent travel wherever possible.
However, the biggest challenge lies with older infrastructure. To address this, my Department funds the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, delivered by the NTA, which includes upgrades to existing bus and rail facilities. Recent examples include new accessible footbridges and lifts installed in Athy and Maynooth train stations, with similar works ongoing at a number of train stations.
My objective is clear: disabled people should be able to access public transport on an equal basis with others. That requires a whole?of?journey approach, applying Universal Design principles and removing barriers such as inaccessible bus stops and train platforms.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (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 over-arching statutory responsibilities for accessible public transport, including bus and rail infrastructure, 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.
223. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the independent feasibility study for a metro to south-west Dublin. [66691/26]
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 the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), which includes metro.
The NTA published the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 in January 2023. This strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period and must be reviewed every six years, with the next review due in 2028. As part of this review, the NTA will reassess the need for additional metro lines, among other transport options, in the GDA. This review will consider updated travel demand forecasts, as well as changes in land use and spatial planning policies. This background analytical work is expected to commence over the next year.
The Programme for Government commits to commissioning an independent feasibility study continuing MetroLink from the city to South West Dublin. The independent feasibility study for the metro to South-West Dublin will be undertaken as part of this broader strategic review process (i.e. the review of the GDA Transport Strategy), ensuring that it is considered in an integrated and holistic manner.
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.
224. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 15 January 2026, whether his Department has had any engagement with the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling task force regarding excessive brightness and intensity of modern LED and HID car headlights; and the nature of that engagement. [67638/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, as I previously advised in Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 15 January 2026 light emitting diode (LED) and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights are known to provide greater brightness, improved colour rendering, increase efficiency and, in the case of LED in particular, longer performance life.
I am aware that concern has been expressed in some quarters in relation to the use of LED and HID headlights. It is worth noting that the use of these headlights in the EU?is regulated by the European type-approval system. Type-approval requires the vehicle or component to meet specific safety standards in order to be placed on the European market and used in any Member State.??Accordingly, if a headlight has been type-approved and entered into service, it is considered safe to use within the EU.
During national roadworthiness testing, a vehicle's lighting system is tested to ensure it is in full working order and correctly aligned for the safe performance of the vehicle. Factors which can contribute to headlamp glare include misaligned aim, dirty or damaged headlamps or the use of incorrect bulbs or unapproved components.
As outlined, the standards for these lights are regulated at EU level. However, as with any concerns over vehicle safety, I am willing to consider evidence-based policy reviews in relation to their use.
I understand that the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling established the Task Force for Glare Prevention to investigate this issue, and the EU Commission has confirmed that it is part of this newly established task force. The RSA is following the task force, which reports to the UNECE Working Party, and attended the online 8th session on 9th June as an observer as they are not a direct contracting party. The RSA is currently reviewing the documents from the most recent 9th Session which was held in Tokyo on 8th September.
The task force aims to review and evaluate existing research, surveys, and evidence on vehicle lighting glare, identify knowledge gaps, and improve understanding of the causes and effects of glare and make recommendations. Both I and the Department will be guided by that work.
225. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made by the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann in improving the provision of real-time disruption information through the Irish Rail app; and when passengers can expect enhanced disruption notifications to be available through the app. [67343/26]
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.
226. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update as of September 2026 on the Mallow relief road project, including if the timeline of the project progression is being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67660/26]
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of the Mallow Relief Road.
I can confirm that €600,000 has been allocated for the N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road scheme in 2026
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.
227. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to provide funding for a route (details supplied). [67371/26]
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 N70 Ring of Kerry Road.
The Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
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.
228. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the introduction of catering services, particularly on long services, such as the Mayo to Dublin; and if he will make a full statement on the matter. [67547/26]
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.
I understand Iarnród Éireann have been working to restore catering services where possible following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on rail services. With costs of up to four times the previous levels quoted, Iarnród Éireann have had to deliver the service on a limited basis, within available funding. A full tender process was undertaken for catering services across the Intercity network within its current PSO funding. Iarnród Éireann have only been in a position to restore catering on the Dublin to Cork route on an interim basis. On-board catering is also available on the Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service, jointly operated between Iarnród Éireann and Translink, and provided under a separate contract.
I am aware that Iarnród Éireann have recently announced the introduction of a pilot scheme for a catering operation on the Dublin - Galway route which came into effect from 24th August 2026. This scheme will be initially for a six-month period and operated on a purely commercial basis to determine the potential viability of such a service on the intercity network.
This is a positive development, and I continue to encourage the NTA and Iarnród Éireann to explore avenues to support wider reintroduction of catering services to improve the customer experience on board. Iarnród Éireann will provide updates to me, my Department, and the wider public on any progress, but at this time, are unable to confirm any restoration date on a wider basis outside of the pilot scheme.
As query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for further information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
