Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the future plans for Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; if the aerodrome has the capacity to maintain the two Airbus C295W’s, located at the site, and the C295 military transport aircraft in production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12765/24]
View answerAs the Deputy notes, the Air Corps recently took delivery of two new Airbus C295 aircraft, and will be taking delivery of another one of these aircraft in the future. These aircraft represent a significant investment in the Air Corps, and bring a substantial capability across a range of mission types. I understand that my Department has not been advised that the current capacity is inadequate for these new craft. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is actively engaged with the military authorities in respect of the general modernisation of hangars in Baldonnel and such projects have been identified in the Infrastructure Plan.
62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to significantly strengthen the military intelligence and cyber defence capabilities of the Defence Forces and the creation of a joint cyber defence command; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/24]
View answerIn terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in November 2023. As part of the Plan's next steps and immediate priorities for 2024, it identified a Joint Cyber Defence Command created at initial operational capability.
The Defence Forces are currently in the process of updating their Cyber Defence Strategy and developing the necessary structures and capabilities that will be required to reach initial operating capability of the Joint Cyber Defence Command. The Joint Cyber Defence Command will have responsibility for the management of Joint Cyber Defence, IT Services and Communications and Information Services for the Defence Forces
With regard to strengthening Military Intelligence, the Detailed Implementation Plan identified amongst its next steps and immediate priorities for 2024 a further evaluation to be completed regarding the role and functions of Military Intelligence, clarified and underpinned by appropriate legislation . It also identified the strengthening of Military Intelligence capabilities and the establishment of a Joint Military Intelligence Service in the context of a revised mandate.
Work is progressing regarding the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces in respect of Military Intelligence in line with the timelines laid down within the Detailed Implementation Plan.
63. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the defence infrastructure improvements that have taken place in Haulbowline since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/24]
View answerThe Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as the maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements.
In regards to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Co Cork, the following capital works are completed or ongoing:
• Refurbishment of FORST Building;
• Upgrade of Block 8 Accommodation;
• Remediation of Spencer Jetty;
• Upgrade of the Oil Wharf and installation of Fire Detection and Firefighting System;
• Upgrade of Block 4 Accommodation.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the following additional capital works are included in the IDP for the Naval Base and are at various stages of the design and procurement process:
• Barracks Foreman Works Building Refurbishment,
• Block 9 Office Conversion,
• Old Comms Building Fire Repair & Upgrade – Cadet Accommodation,
• Cadets Mess – internal alterations and refurbishment,
• New Gym.
In addition my Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
74. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport given the recent serious incidents, including a fatal collision, if there is a safety programme for the N80; if the removal of bends in the Leagh area is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13094/24]
View answerI wish thank the Deputy for her question, which raises the important matter of road safety.
A major priority in the National Development Plan is to maintain the quality and safety of the existing national road network. TII periodically carries out a collision analysis of the entire national road network, as required by TII guidelines, as well as pro-active safety inspections. The purpose of this combined process is to identify locations that have high concentrations of collisions or potential collisions.
The subsequent process of preparing any proposals to identify road safety interventions is the responsibility of the relevant local authority, as the road authority for the area, and in this regard, TII has previously funded works to improve warning signage and to install three Vehicle Activated Sign installations to warn motorists of the approaching bends at this location.
It should be noted that the Leagh Bends section of the N80 was not classified as a High Collision Location in the most recent round of analysis between 2020 and 2022, however, a marked increase in collisions was recorded in 2023, in addition to the recent tragic incident at the end of January of this year.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a safety scheme for the N80 at Leagh Bends is currently being developed by Carlow County Council in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This will lead to the re-alignment of approximately 3km of the N80, removing a number of dangerous bends at that location. The project is currently nearing the end of the Design and Environmental Evaluation phase. It is anticipated that Carlow County Council will submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in Quarter 2 of this year.
In 2024, TII's Protection and Renewal Programme for National Roads was allocated approximately €11 million in additional funding to support safety interventions such as this. These are an integral and essential part of TII's ongoing Protection and Renewal work on our National Roads.
77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 1 February 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the development of the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; the details of the strategic roads feasibility study referenced in the NTA's reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12836/24]
View answer123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 1 February 2024, the terms of reference of the strategic roads feasibility study; who is carrying out the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12837/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 123 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Transport Authority, or NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. The new strategy will provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the delivery of transport and the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the Galway Metropolitan Area. It will replace the existing Galway Transport Strategy which was published in 2016.
As part of the development of the new strategy, mode-specific analysis is being undertaken in the form of a Light Rail Feasibility Study and a Strategic Roads Feasibility Study, both of which are nearing completion. The Strategic Roads Feasibility Study will include analysis of the strategic road requirements for Galway, and will provide road options which will go forward for assessment as part of the multi-modal process for the strategy.
The NTA will undertake a public consultation process following the preparation of the draft strategy, with background technical reports and feasibility studies to be published as supporting documents. The NTA now anticipates that the public consultation will commence in Quarter 3 of this year. This public consultation process will give stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the draft strategy. This feedback will in turn be used to inform the review and consideration of the strategy, with a view to finalising it thereafter.
I welcome the development of this multi-modal strategy which will guide transport investment and the delivery of transport infrastructure in the Galway Metropolitan Area over the next 20 years. It will provide the necessary evidence-based and plan-led framework that can guide investment in the city over the short, medium and longer term. This type of approach is exactly the type of long-term planning needed to ensure good transport infrastructure delivery and integration with land-use planning.
78. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he has concerns regarding the safety issues faced by disabled people in navigating floating bus islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13256/24]
View answerI am absolutely aware of the views expressed by some members of the disability community regarding the issue of island bus stops.
The NTA has advised my Department of the challenges posed by the interaction between buses, cyclists, and pedestrians at bus stops. This interaction is particularly pronounced when pedestrians navigate from the footpath onto the bus, and vice versa. Either pedestrians must cross the cycle facility to access the bus, or the bus must cross the cycle facility to allow boarding and alighting. This inevitably leads to some level of movement overlap, between pedestrians and cyclists or between buses and cyclists.
Our public transport policies aim to enhance the appeal and accessibility of public transport, fostering a sustainable and integrated network. I am cognisant that this commitment is especially vital for vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, mobility concerns, and older people. However, when it comes to managing interactions between pedestrians, cyclists, and buses at bus stops, the NTA has emphasised that no perfect solution, and that a delicate balance of differing needs is required.
Following engagement with the National Disability Authority, the Cycle Design Manual - published in August 2023 - suggests a number of layouts for cycling and pedestrian arrangements at bus stops, to address different scenarios, including those where additional reinforcement of user priorities at the cycle track crossing is required. It also provides appropriate layouts that enable these facilities to be safely provided.
Internationally, the use of these "island bus stops" is a commonly implemented, albeit imperfect, solution to manage these conflicting manoeuvres. The NTA convened a workshop in 2019 with representatives from disability and cycling groups to address these issues and explore optimal layouts considering all users' needs. While consensus on a single design was not achieved, the feedback informed current bus stop layouts, which strive to accommodate all users.
79. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to improve the bus service in Cork city in view of recurring issues with reliability of bus services including cancelled and late buses, and the frequency of these issues occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/24]
View answerI am aware of the ongoing public transport service issues in Cork City, and the negative impact that they are having on the travelling public.
Further, the National Transport Authority have advised that they are specifically aware of the punctuality and reliability issues in Cork City and that they are working closely with Bus Éireann to address these.
I am further advised by the NTA that there are a number of routes in Cork City that are being prioritised for planned service improvements in2024. To this end, Bus Éireann are working with the NTA to examine what steps can be taken in 2024 to improve service provision in the city, and counter issues such as traffic congestion.
In terms of delivery, the MacCurtain Street public transport improvement scheme, which was introduced in November 2023, has already brought improvements to the network with the opening of new 24-hour bus lanes on MacCurtain Street, Coburg Street, Bridge Street and Cathedral Walk. However, I fully recognise that there is still work to be done in Cork City to build on these incremental changes.
In particular, service reliability and punctuality enhancements for Routes 220, 225 and 226 need to be addressed, and these routes in particular are being reviewed by the NTA and Bus Éireann with a view towards additional timetable refreshes. Further, recruitment drives for drivers are underway in Cork to address shortages which will also improve service provision.
Further, the planned Cork Network Redesign will involve the creation of new bus routes and improved bus frequencies to help transform the public transport network to meet anticipated growth and future demand in the region. It is currently anticipated that the Cork Network Redesign will commence implementation from 2025 subject to funding and resource availability.
Finally I’d note these issues highlight the fundamental importance of ensuring bus priority measures, such as those proposed as part of BusConnects Sustainable Transport Corridors, and I look forward to the Deputy’s support in their implementation in the coming years.
80. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to agree and implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review; the reason for the delay in doing so; whether in the meantime it is intended to do preliminary work on those elements of the strategy totally within the remit of the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/24]
View answerThe All-Island Strategic Rail Review, being undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland to 2050, in line with net zero carbon emissions targets.
I expect that a final report, taking account of the comments received during the recent Strategic Environmental Assessment consultation, will be submitted for Government approval, in both jurisdictions, by the Summer. As the Deputy will be aware, among the recommendations within the report, is a recommendation to re-open the Claremorris to Athenry section of the Western Rail Corridor.
In in order to progress the recommendations of the Rail Review, my Department has secured support from the European Investment Bank to consider how best to prioritise implementation of the Review's recommendations over 2025 to 2035.
In addition, my Department continues to invest in the rail network in Ireland. This includes:
- €1.3 billion invested over the period from 2020 to 2024 in order to protect and maintain our rail network to a high standard;
- The introduction of 41 new Inter City Railcars this year to increase capacity on the network;
- Investment in Ceannt, Colbert and Plunkett stations in Galway, Limerick and Waterford respectively;
- The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which includes a signalling upgrade, a new platform at Kent Station and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. All of this is on schedule to be completed by 2026, and will enable a significant improvement to Cork commuter services;
- The multi-billion euro DART+ Programme, which is progressing through the planning and approvals processes. The DART+ West and DART+ South-West projects are in the planning system, and new DART carriages will enter service by 2026, providing a major boost to Dublin rail services.
As a result, improvements to the rail system nationally are already ongoing, with new and better services being introduced for passengers, and more expected in the years ahead.
