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Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 127-146

Regional Airports

Ceisteanna (127)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if additional flights will be ensured for an airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25715/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Government has maintained a strong commitment to the aviation sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exchequer funding of almost €5.9 million was provided to Kerry Airport during 2021. Over €4 million of this funding was provided under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, which supported 100% of capital project proposals submitted by the airport as well as 100% of all eligible operation costs in the areas of safety, security, and air traffic control in 2021. In addition, almost €1.8 million was provided under the COVID Supplementary Support Scheme to compensate Kerry Airport for the damage caused to it by COVID-19. 

Building on this commitment is the recently announced additional capital funding of almost €1.1 million for Kerry Airport, in 2022, to support a number of key safety and security related projects. Projects with a sustainability focus are also being supported, assisting Kerry Airport to reduce emissions, facilitating the sustainable growth of the sector.

Kerry Airport will also be eligible to apply for operational grant-aid later this year. Almost €22 million in operational support is available in 2022 under the Regional Airports Programme to support air traffic control, fire services and security related operations at our regional airports, including Kerry Airport.

This funding represents Government’s commitment to continue to enable Kerry Airport to remain financially sustainable as it enters the recovery period and prepares for growth into the future.

While air travel continued to be significantly impacted by travel restrictions during 2021, passenger numbers at Kerry Airport have shown growth month on month to date in 2022, with numbers now reaching 78% of 2019 pre-COVID figures, for the same period.  

I understand that Tourism Ireland engages in co-operative marketing with airports and airlines to stimulate demand. That being said, the ultimate decision to introduce new air routes are made by airlines, in consultation with airports, based on the commercial viability of the routes in question and other operational factors.

My department has no role in the commercial decisions of the private companies concerned.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (128)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

128. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the measures that he is taking to address the delays in persons with non-European Union driving licences having to retrain; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the difficulty to secure driving lessons to meet the requirements of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25732/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, with which all member states must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level. Therefore, all EU-issued licences are mutually recognised in member states. A holder of a member state issued licence who moves to Ireland can drive on that licence until the licence expires. On expiry, the licence holder can then exchange their licence for an Irish licence.

A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU driving licence to drive here. Bilateral agreements on licence exchange may be made with non-EU jurisdictions. Reaching a driving licence exchange agreement with another country is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state.On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Ireland has licence exchange agreements in place with a number of non-EU countries where we are satisfied that the standards they require of their drivers are similar to ours.When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, we have no option but to require them to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence. While many may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring the standard of the driving test passed to obtain the licence.

People with a full but non-exchangeable licence go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and do not have to hold a learner permit for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.

Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are regulated by the Road Safety Authority, but are self-employed. Consequently, my Department does not have any jurisdiction over the number of hours an ADI chooses to work in a given week.

There are approximately 1,800 ADIs in Ireland, and I am confident that this number is sufficient to meet the demand of all those requiring lessons.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (129)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

129. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if persons with driving licences from another jurisdiction (details supplied) must retrain through the National Driver Licence Service; if he intends to add the country to the list of countries from which licences can be exchanged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25733/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, with which all member states must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level. Therefore, all EU-issued licences are mutually recognised in member states.

A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU driving licence to drive here. Bilateral agreements on licence exchange may be made with non-EU jurisdictions. Reaching a driving licence exchange agreement with another country is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state. To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements can be made only when each authority is satisfied that the two licensing systems are comparable. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Ireland does not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Monaco.

People who have held a full but non-exchangeable licence for two years or longer go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of six lessons, instead of the usual twelve, and they do not have to be a learner driver for the usual minimum of six months before taking a driving test.

Air Quality

Ceisteanna (130)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the measures that he is taking to reduce aviation pollution and improve air-quality in Ireland’s airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25736/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Aviation Emissions are an international problem and require an international solution, and Ireland’s policy in this area is derived from measures being pursued both at EU level and globally by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These measures generally stem from ICAO’s ‘basket of measures’ which has four pillars comprising market-based measures, sustainable aviation fuels, aircraft technology, and operational efficiencies.

CO2 emissions from aviation have been included in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) since 2012. This requires aircraft operators within the European Economic Area (EEA) to monitor, report and verify their emissions, and to surrender allowances against those emissions. As the number of allowances is capped, airlines are required to either reduce emissions or purchase emissions credits.

As part of the Fit for 55 legislative package, officials from EU Member States, including Ireland, are currently discussing the Revision of the ETS for Aviation at the Council of Europe’s Environmental Working Party. This proposes phasing out the free allowances granted to airlines by 2027 and will integrate, as appropriate, the ETS and the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The EU ETS for Aviation has already contributed to reducing the sector’s carbon footprint by more than 17million tonnes per annum and the tightening of the system will further incentivise aircraft operators to reduce their emissions or face increasing costs under the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

CORSIA will require aircraft operators to offset CO2 emissions from international civil aviation which are above 2019 levels. All EU Member States, including Ireland, have volunteered to participate in CORSIA from the Pilot Phase onwards (2021 – 2026). The countries that have volunteered so far cover just under 80% of all international aviation. Under the current proposal, the ETS will continue to apply to intra-EU flights and CORSIA will apply to flights between the EU and third countries participating in CORSIA. Between the ETS and CORSIA, the vast majority of commercial flights to and from Ireland over the coming years will have their emissions accounted for by way of ETS allowances or through ICAO approved offsets.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are renewable or waste-derived aviation fuels that have the potential to substantially reduce overall CO2 lifecycle emissions by up to 80% when compared to fossil fuels. These fuels can be used as a drop-in fuel within the existing global fleet and fuel supply infrastructure. SAF can be produced from chemical processes using various feedstocks, both biological (e.g. Agricultural/forestry residues or Used Cooking Oil) and Synthetic (e.g. Green Hydrogen).

Along with their European colleagues in the Aviation Working Party, officials from my Department have been working on the introduction of the RefuelEU Aviation initiative, a directly applicable Regulation that proposes the introduction of SAF mandates on fuel suppliers. This would be on an increasing scale from 2% in 2025 to 63% in 2050. This also includes a synthetic or e-fuel sub-mandate starting at 0.7% in 2030 and rising to 28% in 2050. At national level, work is also ongoing on ascertaining Ireland’s biofuel needs and resources and potential for Green Hydrogen generation.

Although Ireland does not have an indigenous aerospace sector and is generally a ‘technology taker’, Irish airlines have invested heavily in newer fuel-efficient aircraft over recent years. New engine technologies, lightweight seats, and improved winglets all significantly improve the environmental performance of aircraft compared to earlier models. Highly efficient new aircraft have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of fuel burn. Data also shows that Irish airlines operate with relatively high passenger load factors meaning carbon emissions, on a per passenger basis, measure favourably when compared with other airlines in Europe.

Aviation emissions can also be reduced through operational improvements such as enhanced air traffic management. The Single European Sky (SES) is an initiative that aims to de-fragment European Air Traffic Management by centralising and harmonising operations across the EU. While not part of the Fit for 55 package, the current proposed reform has the potential to achieve a 10% reduction in European aviation emissions and officials from the Department of Transport continue to lobby for its reform in Brussels.

Ireland’s Air Navigation Services Provider, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is engaged in various operational initiatives to improve air traffic flows en-route, cross-border and in the vicinity of airports. Several of these measures such as Continuous Decent Approaches (CDA) and Reduced Departure Intervals (RDI) lead to increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions from aircraft.

Dublin, Shannon, and Cork airports are participants in the Airport Council International’s Carbon Accreditation Programme. This carbon management certification programme independently assesses the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon footprint and provides a framework for continual improvement through varying levels of certification. Dublin Airport has been formally designated as carbon neutral Level 3+ under the programme, while Cork and Shannon have been designated Level 2 and Level 1 respectively.

Finally, the monitoring of ambient air (the air breathed at ground level) is primarily the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (131, 132, 154)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated to the public charge point scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25844/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

132. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for electric vehicle grants in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25845/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the total Government budget allocation for the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in 2022; the total funding committed by the ESB for developing charging infrastructure in 2022; the total number of charge points broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26548/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 154 together.

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050.

The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund.

€100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes €17m for EV charging infrastructure, including the public point scheme. This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.

In addition to the €17million funding for EV charging infrastructure in 2022 from the Department of Transport's vote, €10 million has also been committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:

- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles - Seventeen high-power chargers distributed across 14 multi-vehicle hubs have been delivered as part of the programme to date.

- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers - This work is completed at 36 locations.

- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points - This work is substantially complete. 258 of the chargers have now been successfully replaced.

Further details on the progression of this project can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.

Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 131.

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Ceisteanna (133, 135, 140)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for the construction of new park-and-ride facilities in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25846/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for public transport fleet investment in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25848/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocations for investment in public transport fleet expansion in each year of the National Development Plan in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 135 and 140 together.

The National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 provides total capital funding to the Department of Transport for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 as follows:

2022€m

2023€m

2024€m

2025€m

2,547

2,614

2,664

2,665

Capital allocations for subsequent years will be added on a rolling basis.

The funding allocation for B5 Public Transport Investment for 2022 is €780.06m and is available to view on gov.ie - The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service (www.gov.ie).

Capital funding in 2022 will be allocated to the following programmes: accessibility retrofit programme; bus programme (including fleet); heavy rail investment (including fleet); infrastructure manager multi-annual contract (heavy rail); light rail (Luas and Metro); the park and ride programme and ticketing and technology investment. The allocations are agreed with the relevant agencies at the beginning of the year but are subject to change.

For 2022 the National Transport Authority has been allocated €11.4m in respect of the Park & Ride Programme and €297.4m for PSO public transport fleet procurement.

The allocation for B5 Public Transport Investment for the years 2023 to 2025 will be decided during the annual Estimates process, and published in the Revised Estimates Volumes for each year.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (134)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of making the bus, train fleet and bus and train stations wheelchair-accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25847/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.

Accessibility features, such as wheelchair accessibility, are built into all new public transport infrastructure and vehicles from the design stage. There is also ongoing work to retrofit older public transport fleets and infrastructure, such as bus and train stations, to make them accessible.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for making public transport wheelchair-accessible, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 133.

Transport Policy

Ceisteanna (136)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for active travel spending in 2022; the estimated number of kilometres of new cycling infrastructure that this will deliver in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25849/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government committed to an investment of €360 million per annum in walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. I consider this investment to be hugely beneficial to our society, our health and our environment, and in particular will contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions as per the Government's Climate Action Plan.  It will support projects across the country, in both urban and rural Ireland, as this Government seeks to change the nature of transport in this country.

I was delighted to announce funding of €289m through the National Transport Authority (NTA) earlier this year for approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects, in addition to an allocation of €60 million through Transport Infrastructure Ireland for approx. 40 Greenways projects. In addition my department allocated €4m to TII for delivery of cycling/walking infrastructure along national roads and the remainder of the €360m funding is used by my Department to fund smaller scale projects such as cycle right cycle training ,bike week and Interreg cross border projects.

In relation to the estimated number of kilometres of new cycling infrastructure that will be delivered this year, I have referred your question to the NTA who have responsibility for delivery of Active Travel projects and to TII who have responsibility for the delivery of Greenways projects.

Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Tax Data

Ceisteanna (137)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of all motor tax payments that were paid in instalments versus those which were paid upfront in full; the amount that is raised from the higher rates of motor tax for those that choose to pay in three and six-month instalments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25850/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Motor tax can be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rate for the half-yearly option is 55.5% of the annual rate, and, for the quarterly option, 28.25% of the annual rate.

The number of discs issued in 2021 and the associated receipts (excluding arrears of motor tax) are as follows:

Number of discs issued

Percentage of discs issued

Receipts (€)

Annual

2,047,431

42.9

519,759,241

Half-yearly

702,130

14.8

127,449,601

Quarterly

2,021,116

42.3

213,390,780

Total

4,770,677

100

860,599,622

The loss of income that would arise from equalising rates for the non-annual options would have a negative impact on motor tax revenue and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or in the taxation system generally. The potential loss to the Exchequer has been estimated at just over €37 m, based on the volume of transactions in 2021.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (138)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

138. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the reason that licence renewal forms for those over 70 years of age are not available to download or be picked-up from post offices or libraries. [25873/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from the RSA in 10 working days, I would ask that he contact my office directly.

Road Tolls

Ceisteanna (139)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount that was retained in overpaid tolls by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in respect of the Dublin Port tunnel in each the of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the way that this excess toll income is used for by the TII; and if it will develop a scheme in which it can refund and or redistribute the excess funds. [25878/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 133.

Government Communications

Ceisteanna (141)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

141. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the Ministerial contact details for persons (details supplied). [26126/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport both I and Minister Naughton may be contacted through the following channels provided in the table below –

Minister

Address

Phone

Email

Eamon Ryan

Dept. of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin, D02 TR60

(01) 604 1062

Minister@transport.gov.ie

Hildegarde Naughton

Dept. of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin, D02 TR60

(01) 604 1034

MinisterNaughton@transport.gov.ie

Coast Guard Service

Ceisteanna (142)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

142. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when the date on which works on the new coastguard building at Howth will commence; the estimated cost of these works; and the estimated duration of these works. [26140/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Howth Coast Guard Station is currently on the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Building Maintenance Programme for a proposed extension to the rear of the station. This programme is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and my Department provides funding for these projects.

IRCG is currently awaiting both the transfer of the site on which the station is built and an additional adjoining site from Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) before this project can be progressed any further. The most recent update advised that DAFM has referred some outstanding legal issues relating to insurance to the State Claims Agency for advice.

The Department will not be in a position to provide the requested information regarding costings and timelines until the finalisation of the lease with DAFM is complete. At this stage the project will progress to the design and tender phases.

The Chief State Solicitors Office will continue to progress this matter with DAFM on IRCG's behalf as a priority.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (143, 144)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

143. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to increase the number of carriages from four to seven on the 17.30 pm service from Dublin Connolly to Maynooth. [26141/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

144. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to provide additional high visibility services personnel on trains and in stations that are near beaches and during good weather periods. [26142/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.

As the 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 issues of both an increased number of carriages and an increased number of high visibility personnel on Iarnród Éireann services are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 143.

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (145)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

145. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the additional public bus services that will be provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [26171/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As 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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is a major national public transport initiative developed by the NTA to increase public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns. Certain routes identified by the NTA in their Connecting Ireland public consultation held in Nov-Dec 2021 will be prioritised and accelerated. This acceleration serves a dual purpose by catering for both existing demands as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the Ukrainian crisis. This acceleration of works will include additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim of increasing connectivity.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the additional public bus services that will be provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (146)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

146. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that his Department is making to ensure that there are meaningful and obligatory environmental, climate-friendly and fair-wage conditions incorporated into any new contracts for catering services on Irish Rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26214/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the 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 issue of conditions incorporated into any new contracts for catering services on Irish Rail services is first and foremost a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
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