Parliamentary questions

Rail Network

Brendan Howlin

255. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposal by the National Transport Authority to terminate the Wexford to Dublin Intercity rail link in either Greystones or Wicklow town and to require passengers to disembark there to access commuter DART services; if he accepts that this substantial down grading of a main intercity link is totally unacceptable, if he will contact the NTA and Irish Rail on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15282/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Howlin

123. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the M11 motorway from Oylegate to Rosslare Europort; when the location of the required motorway service station will be known; when he expects construction to begin; when the motorway will be open to traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/24]

Electric Vehicles

Brendan Howlin

193. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the number and location of fast electric vehicle chargers currently available in the country; the number expected to be in place in each of the next three years; if it is his intention to have a common pricing system for chargers across the country in order to encourage greater E.V usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3523/24]

Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when a bus driver licence will issue to a person (details supplied) who has passed all relevant tests and is urgently required by their employer to begin work as a bus driver; the length of time, on average, it takes to issue a bus licence following the successful completion of all test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53735/23]

Bus Services

Brendan Howlin

85. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out his proposals to increase LocalLink bus services to facilitate access to Wexford town from adjoining rural areas; if there are any plans, in particular, to provide disabled persons access from the Curracloe area into services in Wexford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39763/23]

Military Exports

Brendan Howlin

209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the measures he has taken to ensure that Ireland does not facilitate the transit of cluster munitions through Irish airports, ports or airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/23]

Fuel Sales

Brendan Howlin

270. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a concern of the Irish biofuels sector at the implications for the industry of new regulations due to be brought into force by him; if he has had discussions with representatives of the biofuels sector, the farming sector and Irish meat processing sector in relation to these regulations; if these regulations mirror those being put in place in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/23]

National Car Test

Brendan Howlin

178. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the waiting time for tests in each NCT test centre nationwide; the maximum waiting time that he regards as acceptable; the measures that he has put in place to validate NCT certificates in cases in which the waiting period exceeds the expiry date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45235/22]

Transport Costs

Brendan Howlin

263. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 17 May 2022, if he will ensure that all companies providing transport for students to college are covered by the fare reductions in relation to ensuring parity of treatment for all third level students paying transport fees to access their places of study; if he will set out his intentions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43536/22]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

227. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a query from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40154/22]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Howlin

167. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the current situation in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann Superannuation Scheme, 1951 (Amendment) Scheme (Confirmation) Order, 2000; if the scheme currently meets the minimum funding standard set out in the Pension Act 1990; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the scheme have not received a pension increase since 2008 and that the majority of members of the scheme do not qualify for social welfare pensions; if he will examine this issue with a view to ensuring that scheme members receive cost of living increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33566/22]

Public Transport

Brendan Howlin

156. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he has provided funding to the National Transport Authority to cover the cost of enabling commercial bus operators to participate in the young adult card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/22]

Public Transport

Brendan Howlin

240. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that the fare cuts announced by the Government to public transport do not apply to the majority of persons from County Wexford who use buses to Dublin or Waterford operated by Wexford Bus or Bus Éireann Expressway; the plans he has to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24700/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brendan Howlin

106. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if, in the context of Ireland’s need to accelerate offshore renewable energy programme he has had discussions with Irish Rail regarding the designation of Rosslare Europort as Ireland’s offshore renewable energy hub; his plans to support Rosslare Europort to prepare for an offshore renewable energy hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21663/22]

Ports Policy

Brendan Howlin

107. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the current position in relation to the development of a new port access road for Rosslare Europort; the amount that has been allocated for this project in 2022 and 2023; when this project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21664/22]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

170. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the current waiting time for motorcycle driving tests in each driving test centre; when a motorcycle driving test will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8827/22]

Rail Network

Brendan Howlin

209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with Irish Rail to encourage more passengers onto the rail system in the context of the Climate Action Plan; if he has discussed with Irish Rail its plans to increase the frequency of trains operating between Rosslare Europort and Connolly Station, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5830/22]

Public Sector Staff

Brendan Howlin

240. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the policy in relation to the age of retirement in State companies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1241/22]

Coast Guard Service

Brendan Howlin

254. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the details of the current tender for Irish Coast Guard aviation services, rotary and fixed wing and in particular the location for these services during the next tender period; if the current four search and rescue bases are being maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1816/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Howlin

201. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the way he plans to facilitate rail users who have purchased commuter rail tickets to travel to work and who are now returning to the workplace on a two to three day basis; if he has discussed this issue with Irish Rail and with the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45914/21]

Road Network

Brendan Howlin

146. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a recent assessment estimated that Wexford County Council requires €196 million to bring secondary roads in the county up to standard; his plans to address this urgent issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42682/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

190. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Wexford driving test centre in each category (details supplied); the number of weeks candidates are on a waiting list for a test date broken into four weeks tranches in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34129/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

191. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driver test in the RSA Gorey driving test centre in each test category (details supplied); the number of weeks candidates are on a waiting list for a test date by four four-week tranches in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/21]

Rail Network

Brendan Howlin

61. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if the reopening of the Wexford to Waterford rail line is to be considered as part of the Strategic Rail Review now underway; his views pending the outcome of this strategic review of the decision of Irish Rail to secure the Barrow Bridge in a permanently open position; his views on whether this action has implications for any future use of the bridge for rail or as part of a potential greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32168/21]

Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

106. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the situation pertaining to the swapping of EU to Irish driver licences in cases in which the originating country is outside the EU; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

89. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if driver theory tests remain suspended; if appointments for tests in the coming weeks are being cancelled; if these cancelled appointment slots are being made available for others to book and pay for; when he envisages that theory tests will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27076/21]

Bus Services

Brendan Howlin

254. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if the number of bus routes serving Wexford town by Bus Éireann is being reduced; the number of services still operating between Wexford town and Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/21]

Road Projects

Brendan Howlin

272. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the amount allocated towards the Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour N11/N25 roadway for 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14010/21]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

114. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he has put in place facilities for essential workers awaiting theory tests and driver tests in order that they can qualify to drive to their place of employment; if it is possible to do theory tests online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/21]

Aviation Industry

Brendan Howlin

180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the referral under section 41(7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 of the matter of IAA staff pensions; the reason increases in pension payments have not been awarded in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43115/20]

Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

128. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the reason a UK driver licence for a person (details supplied) cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that similar licences held by other family members have been exchanged for Irish licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41134/20]

Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

211. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the conditions imposed on Irish citizens who previously held full Irish driver licences seeking to renew their licence on their return to Ireland; his views on whether it is acceptable to require such returning nationals with a clean licence record to undergo six essential driver training sessions and pay a variety of other fees in order to prove driving competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37767/20]

Ferry Services

Brendan Howlin

71. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a ferry operator (details supplied) requires truck drivers to share cabins on its route from France to Ireland; his views on whether this is an acceptable health practice in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/20]

Imports and Exports Data

Brendan Howlin

292. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether Ireland has the capacity post-January 2021 to have an uninterrupted continuation of the import and export of goods to continental Europe by sea; the analysis done by his Department on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33658/20]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

344. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants who have being given a date for their driver theory test and who have had them cancelled due to the level 5 restrictions are now being given replacement dates well into the new year; his views on whether it would be fairer to simply push all applications back for the duration of the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/20]

Rail Network

Brendan Howlin

148. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the Waterford to Rosslare to Europort rail link as set out in the Programme for Government; the time frame he has set for this rail corridor to be restored; the steps he proposes to take to ensure the project is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16688/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Howlin

547. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 765 of 27 May 2020, the way in which he plans to address the situation of a front-line health worker unable to reach their place of work by public transport, unable to have a qualified driver with them to accompany them to work and back each day and unable to sit a driver test due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9790/20]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

765. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines in relation to learner drivers, particularly those who have completed twelve driving lessons and have had their tests cancelled; if such drivers will be allowed to drive unaccompanied for a period of time; the number of persons awaiting driver tests; the timeframe to clear the back log; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7374/20]

Driver Test

Brendan Howlin

964. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is planned that driving instructors will resume work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/20]

Greenways Funding

Brendan Howlin

598. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital expenditure of his Department from 1 January 2019 to date under the heading of E7 Greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52928/19]

Sports Funding

Brendan Howlin

277. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 26 September 2019, when the projects that will be grant aided under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/19]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Howlin

548. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consultants have been appointed for the provision of technical advisory services to progress the planning and design work on the proposed M4 Maynooth to Leixlip road improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47343/19]

Airport Charges

Brendan Howlin

930. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the recommendation by the Commission for Aviation Regulation to reduce the passenger levy at Dublin Airport by 20%; the estimated lesser amount the levy would recoup in the period 2020 to 2024 compared to retaining the current level of passenger levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44876/19]

Public Service Obligation Levy Payments

Brendan Howlin

346. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the 2018 and 2019 PSO subvention allocated respectively to each transport body and public service provider by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30319/19]

Public Service Obligation Data

Brendan Howlin

347. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of providing an increased subsidy to each public transport provider to reduce fares by 5%, 10% and 20%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30320/19]

Road Projects Status

Brendan Howlin

348. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress towards delivering the Galway city bypass since approval was provided in 2018; the spend on the N6 Galway city transport project to date; the annual capital allocations for 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the project; the estimated completion date; the estimated final cost of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30321/19]

Trans European Transport Network Programme

Brendan Howlin

1278. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date on the EU motorways of the sea initiative; the specific actions taken to date under the TEN-T guidelines to achieve a European maritime space without barriers; the implications for this initiative of Brexit and the UK landbridge; the port and ferry supports available under the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18668/19]

Bus Services

Brendan Howlin

538. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus to alleviate customer congestion on bus services from Bray and Greystones to Dublin city along the N11 corridor; if the NTA and Dublin Bus will provide additional bus services on the 84x route; if an additional three buses will be provided on the service in the morning during rush hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9250/19]

Road Projects Status

Brendan Howlin

553. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the final route will be selected for the Oylegate to Rosslare Europort section of the M11; when this road link will commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/19]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Expenditure

Brendan Howlin

575. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to date incurred by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on maintaining and providing security for the services station on the M11 in County Wexford; when it is envisaged this service station will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/19]