Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

1. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence where he intends to deploy Irish troops in the event that he is successful in progressing legislation that would remove the triple lock neutrality protection, considering the Government has withdrawn from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, peacekeeping mission due to capacity constraints. [22123/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

2. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the additional allowances payable to Defence Forces Irish contingent personnel participating in the EU battle group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22068/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

3. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Naval Service; the strength as of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the current strength of the service; the number of personnel required under level of ambition 2; and the current number of ships that can simultaneously be put to sea. [22124/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeline for when the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Griffin

5. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will further review the pandemic recognition payment for Defence Forces personnel who worked in test centres to make sure all deserving individuals received the payment, given that some did not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22112/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army headquarters; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out his proposals to alter the current triple lock mechanism governing the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas; when he proposes to introduce amending legislation on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be enhanced, with particular reference to their ability to respond to emergencies, if and when they arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

10. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what type of operations Irish military forces might engage in that are not currently allowed under the UN Charter if the triple lock is removed ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20888/24]

Defence Forces

James Lawless

11. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the strategic framework for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21827/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have joined each branch of the Defence Forces in each of the past two years and in the first quarter of 2024; the number who have retired or left each service branch over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/24]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of applications to join that the Defence Forces have received since the start of 2023; how many were interviewed; how many were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22097/24]

Naval Service

Seán Haughey

14. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to enhance the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for a public consultation on his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

16. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will retain the triple lock per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20885/24]

Defence Forces

Alan Farrell

17. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail the level and condition of communications systems within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21758/24]

National Security

Cathal Berry

18. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline Ireland's air defence capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22158/24]

Departmental Projects

Brendan Howlin

19. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out the role and function of the new civil-military branch established within his Department; the structure and management of this branch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the analysis, including any reports or supporting documentation, carried out by his Department leading to the decision to legislate for the dismantling of the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 21 March 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; the details of how people can make submissions to the tribunal; what legal supports will be available to people who make submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

22. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the training that the Defence Forces have provided to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22032/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

23. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the levels of capital funding for defence planned over the next two years. [22033/24]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the further consultation he intends to carry out regarding the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024. [22043/24]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the current number of personnel in all branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22141/24]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

26. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recent recruitment for the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21967/24]

National Security

Bríd Smith

27. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are any immediate military threats to Irish security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/24]

Naval Service

Alan Farrell

28. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to increase the sonar capability of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/24]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

29. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has received recent official requests from the European Commission to strengthen the Irish Defence Forces; if so, the reasons for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21890/24]

Departmental Policies

Réada Cronin

30. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in the interest of transparency, he will refer any desired or proposed changes to the triple lock to the people in a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22149/24]

Defence Forces

Réada Cronin

31. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department will increase financial support to the charities supporting veterans and former members of the Defence Forces; if the State, through the forces themselves, will develop its own outreach, care and liaison services for former members who have served the State proudly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22150/24]

Defence Forces

Pauline Tully

32. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in ensuring the provisions of the working time directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces; if he will detail those activities that are deemed outside the scope of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22127/24]

Naval Service

David Stanton

33. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recent recruitment to the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21968/24]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

34. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific issues he has with the triple lock system that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21888/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues within the Defence Forces have been resolved as per recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22091/24]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Haughey

36. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the Be Summer-Ready 2024 public safety information campaign he recently launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22036/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

37. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-drone technology capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress he has made on ending the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the working time directive. [22046/24]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the arrangements in place when retired Defence Forces' personnel who are fully trained in paramedical and advanced paramedical skills while in the Defence Forces can easily move to work in the HSE or National Ambulance Service; if he is aware of any issues with the recognition of service carried out while they were serving members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/24]

Defence Forces

Christopher O'Sullivan

40. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on any development in relation to works on the slipway at Lawrence Cove, Bere Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22108/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

41. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of volunteers secured to participate in an EU battle group. [22047/24]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

42. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the educational supports provided to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22098/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to publish a draft scheme in relation to his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; and if he intends to conduct both a public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. [22044/24]

Emergency Planning

Christopher O'Sullivan

44. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the results of the national risk assessment he published in March 2024; the measures being taken to reduce the risks identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22035/24]

Legislative Measures

James Lawless

45. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is considering legislation to prevent former and serving soldiers performing private security work in countries subject to international sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

46. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how he intends to increase the strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

47. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently deployed on overseas missions; the location of each deployment; the further plans he has, if any, for future deployment overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21847/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

48. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all test centre personnel should have received the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22113/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

49. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-submarine warfare capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22160/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central Border area, further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks, given the recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the legislative and policy changes planned in order to proceed with his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22039/24]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

52. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he expects to conclude considerations regarding the need for further legislation to strengthen safeguards in relation to former members of the Defence Forces selling their expertise. [22045/24]

Road Safety

Martin Kenny

53. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his Department's work on road safety, and his plans to tackle the continuing rise in road fatalities.
[22230/24]

Airport Policy

Martin Kenny

54. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the status of his Department’s plans for upgrading the transport infrastructure around Dublin Airport and its environs. [22231/24]

Rail Network

Marian Harkin

55. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic rail review will be published; in particular, the plans and timetable on the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22048/24]

Bus Services

Niamh Smyth

56. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the local link services currently available in counties Cavan and Monaghan, respectively; his plans for additional routes or an expansion of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21828/24]

Rail Network

James O'Connor

57. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any provision for new train stations in the east Cork area; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

David Stanton

58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport to outline the way in which southern ports will be supported in marshalling parts and assembling turbines for offshore wind power generation in relation to the newly published draft south coast designated maritime area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/24]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/24]

Bus Services

Mairéad Farrell

60. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his views on providing more flexibility of stops on rural bus routes; if he will provide an update on the additional stops on the 432 route; if full flexibility will be allowed for on this route in order that passengers can request stops as needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22109/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

61. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in considering the all-island strategic rail review since the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly; when it is hoped to approve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22041/24]

Rail Network

Rose Conway-Walsh

62. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22100/24]

Regional Development

Marian Harkin

63. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport following the recent European Commission's Regional Competitiveness Index report, where the northern and western region of Ireland was ranked 218th out of 234 regions, if he will commit to improving the northern and western region’s transport infrastructure ranking; if so, how he intends on improving the region's ranking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18095/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 20 March 2024, the status of the roll-out of park and ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21901/24]

Bus Éireann

Pádraig O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide on update on what engagement his Department has had with Bus Éireann to address the impact of the shortage of drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/24]

Driver Test

Niamh Smyth

66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the plans and strategies being introduced to reduce waiting times in Cavan’s driving test centre; if he is aware of the lengthy waiting times at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/24]

Transport Policy

Peadar Tóibín

67. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he has any plans to introduce congestion charges in the State; and if he will outline how the charges would work. [15530/24]

Dublin Bus

Paul Donnelly

68. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport his views on the inhumane policy regarding comfort breaks within Dublin Bus, where drivers are being penalised for having to use facilities, which is causing buses to run late, and comfort breaks having to be recorded. [16995/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/24]

Road Projects

Joe Flaherty

70. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the N4 upgrade from Mullingar to Rooskey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21996/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Thomas Gould

71. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether a park-and-ride facility is planned for the north side of Cork city. [22096/24]

Road Projects

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

72. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update and progress report on the current status of the TEN-T project for Donegal. [22072/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received a detailed update from Iarnród Éireann on the condition of the railway line from Collooney to Athenry, covering issues such as the integrity of the permanent way in terms of embankments, bridges, culverts and growth along the line, lack of encroachment and so on; whether there is any significant difference in the state of the line north of Claremorris compared to the section south of Claremorris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22042/24]

Road Projects

Rose Conway-Walsh

74. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the N17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22101/24]

Active Travel

Brendan Griffin

75. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding new calls for active travel projects in 2024; if there is an anti-rural bias in the allocation of funding and the projects completed nationwide to date; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of where the funding has gone, projects completed and whether each was an urban or rural location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22110/24]

Road Safety

Pauline Tully

76. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to ensure floating bus islands are safe for disabled pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22126/24]

Rail Network

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 21 March 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21900/24]

Rail Network

Brian Leddin

78. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the progress made on the implementation of the all-island strategic rail review, including timelines and next steps, with specific reference to the development of the new passenger service on the Limerick-Foynes rail line, the spur to Shannon Airport and the upgrade of the Limerick Junction-Limerick-Waterford line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/24]

Rail Network

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

79. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the intervention of his Department to progress the reopening of Barrow Bridge in advance of the recouping of costs due to the ship strikes from the insurance companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22121/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Griffin

80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the actual position regarding the N22 Farranfore to Killarney road improvement project, further to TII correspondence to this Deputy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22111/24]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

81. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in providing the funding needed to allow for the continuation of work on designing the upgrade to the Cahir to Limerick Junction section of the N24 road project; if he is aware that the funding received for the project to date is diminishing and the remaining funding is needed immediately to quell concerns that, otherwise, this section of the project may stall; when the funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22069/24]

Bus Services

Brian Leddin

82. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the operation of the new electric bus fleet in Limerick city, including information on passenger numbers, reliability of service and if any impacts are expected on air quality in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22115/24]

Air Services

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

83. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the application from City of Derry Airport to have Irish Government support for the Derry to Dublin air link reinstated. [22071/24]

Rail Network

Ruairí Ó Murchú

84. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress of the implementation of hourly cross-Border train services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22144/24]

Road Projects

James O'Connor

85. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Midleton-Youghal N25 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22147/24]

Road Projects

Thomas Gould

86. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the reason the northern ring road was not included in the interactive Project 2040 map launched recently. [22095/24]

Ports Policy

David Stanton

87. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the supports he has made available to date and plans to make available in the future to the Port of Cork company to enable it to expand and develop its facilities in order that it can become a centre for project marshalling and assembly, as outlined in the recently published policy statement Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21969/24]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 109 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22081/24]

Coast Guard Service

Alan Farrell

89. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his Department’s support for the Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21759/24]

Road Projects

Ruairí Ó Murchú

90. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress of the N53 project in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22143/24]

Bus Services

Pauline Tully

91. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport to detail the consultation his Department engaged in with disabled persons organisations prior to the introduction of floating island bus stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/24]

Road Projects

Martin Browne

92. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for not providing an allocation to progress the N24 Waterford to Cahir transportation scheme, for which Tipperary County Council requires €2.53 million for 2024 to continue progress, and a further €5.4 million to complete the design and bring the project through An Bord Pleanála; his views on the fact seven homes are in planning limbo as long as the project remains suspended; his views on how the non-provision of funding will affect the poor road safety record of the N24 in its current state; his further views on how the non-provision of funding reflects on the €5.07 million spent to date on the current scheme; if he will reconsider the decision to withhold funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22070/24]

Road Safety

Pádraig O'Sullivan

93. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of the legislation required for speed limit reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which plans are afoot for the implementation of the extension of the DART to Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock, Sallins, Naas and further afield; the extent to which such works are in hand; whether requests from the commuters in north Kildare to extend the turntable points to an area beyond Maynooth and Kilcock, given the wider catchment area and demand for transport services, are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/24]

Active Travel

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

95. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the expansion of active travel funding for educational and hospital campuses, to include funding for large business parks, and overall expansion of supports for active travel infrastructure, including supports for workplace showers, wet gear storage and secure overnight bike parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22119/24]

Airport Security

Alan Farrell

96. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to prevent drone incursions near airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21760/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied), who applied ten weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Kehoe

99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to compensate drift and draft net fishers affected by the ban on commercial salmon fishing; his views on whether the hardship scheme introduced following the ban should be reopened to relevant fishers who did not avail of it at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22181/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

100. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the funding assistance available to develop business projects on bogs by the owners of these sites in light of their discontinued use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22206/24]