Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

157. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his proposals to address delays regarding administration and medical testing which are unduly slowing down the recruitment of Reserve Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14963/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

158. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount that will be expended on a third party contract to maintain Naval Service vessels; his proposals to ensure that the Naval Service has an adequate complement of expertise that such a contract is not necessary in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14964/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

159. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current maintenance arrangements regarding the LÉ Niamh and LÉ Róisín; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14965/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount paid to third parties in relation to maintenance of the naval fleet in the years 2010 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14972/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

161. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel who purchased their way out of service in the years 2019 to date; the average discharge by purchase fee, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

162. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of personnel in each arm of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

163. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 5 March 2024, if the requested information in relation to ground rents payable by his Department, or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date has been compiled. [14991/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Duncan Smith

164. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if pension entitlements will be transferred to the widow of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/24]

Departmental Staff

John Lahart

165. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s policy on the appointment of civilian clerical staff to other posts within his Department, including positions such as storekeeper supervisor; if it is the case that civilian clerical staff who have carried out functions of such posts on an acting basis for an extensive period, have thereby earned eligibility for permanent appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15236/24]

Defence Forces

Richard Boyd Barrett

166. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will investigate the practice of members of the Defence Forces being denied their presentation on the basis that they have made protected disclosures about issues in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15276/24]

Defence Forces

Richard Boyd Barrett

167. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is the case that members of the Defence Forces cannot take cases to the WRC for the issue of being penalised for having made a protected disclosure about issues in the Defences Forces; if so, the reason this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15277/24]

Departmental Policies

Réada Cronin

168. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department is investigating media reports that former members of the Defence Forces, including those of the ranger elite corps, have been undertaking training of personnel belonging to the so-called "Libyan National Army" under General Haftar, such group being opposed to the UN-recognised leadership; if he will publish the findings of that investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15357/24]

Departmental Policies

Réada Cronin

169. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what actions he is taking to assess whether the reported training in Libya by former members of the Irish Defence Forces of a military group opposed to the UN-recognised leadership of the country, is in breach of the UN arms embargo and EU restrictions on Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15358/24]

Departmental Policies

Réada Cronin

170. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will ban private or commercial organisations involved in, or associated with, international security advice, weaponry or military training using the words Irish or Ireland in their business or company titles, such use being open to misinterpretation as pertaining to some official role in, or connection with the State and its offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/24]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

171. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address delays by ESB Networks in providing grid connections for the installation of EV charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15318/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Healy-Rae

172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport to provide clarity on a letter that was sent to all businesses selling fuel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13578/24]

Bus Services

Peter Burke

173. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the public and private bus transport available (details supplied) in light of recent announcements of service withdrawal; what measures are in place to service this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13602/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Matt Carthy

174. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the N2/A5/Ten-T Cross Border Committee, which comprises of representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster District Council and Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13642/24]

Road Network

Matt Carthy

175. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to ensure adequate upkeep of local and regional roads in 2024. [13643/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Holly Cairns

176. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport in view that CIE RWS Scheme pensioners, receiving an average of €52 per week, have not had a pension increase since 2008, if he will consider increasing it in line with other similar scheme increases; if the cost-of-living element of the pay award given to Irish Rail and Dublin Bus staff will be passed on to retired staff also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/24]

Bus Services

Sorca Clarke

177. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he can explain in detail why route 706 and 706X, run by a company (details supplied) will cease to exist in April 2024; if he will reconsider this decision and maintain this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13697/24]

Cycling Facilities

Catherine Murphy

178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will initiate via TII a more frequent sweeping of a cycle lane (details supplied). [13703/24]

Bus Services

Michael Healy-Rae

179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a regular bus service will be provided to an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13719/24]

Bus Services

Michael Healy-Rae

180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a bus stop (details supplied) will be reinstated in a location in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13720/24]

Bus Services

Paul Murphy

181. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will act to ensure that a public bus service is reinstated between Galway and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13726/24]

Transport Policy

Paul Murphy

182. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to progress plans in the Green Party's transport policy to regulate advertisements that glamourise unsustainable modes of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13727/24]

Transport Policy

Paul Murphy

183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport what action he has taken, including by liaising with his Cabinet colleagues as appropriate, to restrict advertisements that are misleading with regard to the impact of motoring on the environment, on urban congestion and on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13728/24]

Transport Policy

Paul Murphy

184. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will support a ban on advertising of new fossil-fuelled cars, in order to reduce the demand for unsustainable modes of transport in line with transport and climate policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13729/24]

Airport Policy

Paul Murphy

185. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he supports a ban on private jets using Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/24]

Driver Test

Peadar Tóibín

186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a test, per test centre; if a breakdown can be provided on the length of time waiting and the number of driving testers for each test centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/24]

Rail Network

Peadar Tóibín

187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the reason the Mullingar train stop does not have any Leap card infrastructure, especially considering the station is used largely by students travelling to college in Maynooth; if he has any intention of introducing Leap card infrastructure at the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13775/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

188. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13816/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

189. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of properties either owned or leased by his Department that are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13834/24]

Departmental Expenditure

David Stanton

190. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport his Department’s capital underspend, if any, in 2023; his Department’s projected spend for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13888/24]

Road Projects

Pa Daly

191. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport what the grant allocation of €150,000 for the Tralee to An Daingean route N86 in 2024 will be utilised for (details supplied). [13906/24]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

192. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress being made to improve a dangerous and busy junction on the outskirts of Thurles, County Tipperary, where Turtulla Cross on the N62 has been the site of a number of serious and fatal crashes over the years; what safety works and junction redesign can be carried out at this junction on the N62 to improve safety for all road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/24]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

193. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority following the decision by Aircoach to withdraw the Athlone service, to ensure connectivity is maintained in this growth centre. [14006/24]

Road Safety

Martin Kenny

194. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport what planning he has carried out to ensure there will not be an increase in road fatalities and injuries as a result of the forthcoming proposed changes to alcohol licensing hours; if he will publish the evidence on which any such plans are based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14007/24]

Cycling Policy

Patrick Costello

195. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will liaise with Dublin City Council on funding options for the expansion of the highly successful now Dublin bikes scheme. [14049/24]

Airport Policy

Paul Murphy

196. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport whether weapons bound for Israel are transiting through Shannon Airport; if he will immediately stop the use of Shannon as a transit hub for an active enabler of the genocidal violence happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14052/24]

Public Transport

Róisín Shortall

197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of agreements that have been reached between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and organisations that previously expressed concerns about the MetroLink project since the beginning of the railway order application oral hearing (details supplied); the details of these agreements; if any are non-disclosure agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14063/24]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport when the additional capacity will be in service on the Sligo to Dublin rail line. [14065/24]

Parking Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

199. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the supports his Department is giving to Irish Rail to provide ample car parking in Carlow town at the Carlow train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14105/24]

Road Safety

Sorca Clarke

200. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the capital and current funding allocated to the safe routes to school programmes in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. [14120/24]

Road Safety

Sorca Clarke

201. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of the funding allocated to the safe routes to school programme that has been expended for the purposes of years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. [14121/24]

Transport Policy

Steven Matthews

202. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed Connecting Ireland route (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure this is prioritised for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14161/24]

Departmental Advertising

Jackie Cahill

203. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if his Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if his Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14175/24]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

204. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposal to extend the DART to Wicklow town; the work that has been done to date by his Department to support this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Cathal Crowe

205. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the board of an organisation (details supplied) to comply with the spirit of the Mulvey Report 2023 and provide a pension increase for 2024 to pensioners of the IAA, in line with the pension increase recommendations within the Mulvey Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14181/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Cathal Crowe

206. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if will he instruct the board of an organisation (details supplied), in light of the huge increase, since the Covid pandemic ended, in the demand for commercial and leisure air travel and in light of the significant rise in consumer inflation for pensioners, to provide an amount within the Eurocontrol User Charge Unit Rate to ensure that current pensions in payment to pensioners of the IAA receive occasional pension increases concurrently with the occasional pay increases received by their colleagues still working within the State air navigation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/24]